Title: The Northwest Coastal People - Religion / Ceremonies / Art / Clothing
Headings: 

Content: The Northwest Coastal People - Religion / Ceremonies / Art / Clothing

















Northwest Coastal People
Groups in
this Region
Environment / Housing
Food / Hunting / Tools
Transportation / Migration
Family / Social Structure / Leadership
Tribal Relations / War
The Northwest Coastal People lived on the west coast of Canada,
occupying the western shore and the islands of British Columbia, and reaching up into the Yukon. Religion
In Northwest Coast culture, their customs, beliefs, and history were passed down orally through stories, songs, and dances. They had stories about why certain things occurred, for example, the changes in season. There were also stories about each group and how they first appeared in this world. All of these stories were passed down to subsequent generations. The people of the Northwest believed that they were surrounded, at all times, by supernatural beings interfering with the natural world. In their culture, spirits were connected to all living things. The only link between the spirit world and the natural world was the 'Shamans' or 'Medicine Men'. Haida Raven Dancer
Shamans
Shaman
It was a Shaman's job to cure the sick, to ensure that there was adequate food, and to influence the weather. The belief was that they had the power to do all those things through an ability to communicate with the spirit world.