Title: NORTHWEST COAST AMERICAN INDIAN FACTS
Headings: Northwest Indian Facts
Northwest Indian Facts
Introduction - Northwest Indian Tribes
Northwest Coast American Indian Tribes List
List of Facts About the American Indians of the Northwest Coast

Content: Among the more important plant resources were twelve kinds of berries (most of them smashed, dried into cakes, stored for later use), the starchy roots of camas and wapato, and the roots of bracken fern. Religion centered around the guardian spirit. Each Indian had a guardian spirit that gave them a specific skill such as carving, hunting or even healing. Winter ceremonies were often a time for acknowledging these spirits through song and dance. They were very talented artists and most well-known for their handcrafted totem poles. Totem poles were most commonly found in front of a home to tell a families tribal history through intricate carvings, pictures and colors. With a lack of any written language, these Indians relied on the totem poles to pass down their history, stories, and myths through the generations. They wore necklaces to symbolize wealth. Bear claw necklaces, as well as beaver teeth and clamshells were very popular. Usually held in winter months, the potlatch was one of the most common traditions.