The First Nations of the Pacific Northwest Coast are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of the Pacific Northwest Coast, their descendants, and many ethnic groups who identify with those historical peoples. They are now situated within the Canadian Province of British Columbia and the U.S. states of Alaska, Washington and Oregon. The indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast at one time had the most densely populated areas of indigenous people. The land and waters provided rich natural resources through cedar and salmon, and highly structured cultures developed from relatively dense populations. Within the Pacific Northwest, many different nations developed, each with their own distinct history, culture, and society. Some cultures in this region were very similar and share certain elements, such as the importance of salmon to their cultures, while others differed. Prior to contact, and for a brief time after colonisation, some of these groups regularly conducted war against each other through raids and attacks. Through warfare they gathered captives for slavery. The creation of beautiful and practical objects (for all tribal communities) served as a means of transmitting stories, history, wisdom and property from generation to generation. Art provided Indigenous people with a tie to the land by depicting their histories on totem poles the Big (Plank) Houses of the Pacific Northwest coast – the symbols depicted were a constant reminder of their birth places, lineages and nations. Due to the abundance of natural resources and the affluence of most Northwest tribes, there was plenty of leisure time to create art. Many works of art served practical purposes, such as clothing, tools, weapons of war and hunting, transportation, cooking, and shelter; but others were purely aesthetic. Spiritualism, the supernatural and the importance of the environment played integral roles in day-to-day life. Therefore it was not unusual for their worldly goods to be adorned with symbols, crests and totems that represented some important figure(s) from both the seen and unseen worlds. Often different northern tribes would adorn their possessions with symbols that represented a tribe as a collective (i.e., clan); this would often be a signal of differentiation among tribal groups. Such symbols could be compared to a coat of arms, or running up the flag of a country on a sailing ship, as it approached a harbour. After the arrival of the Europeans, Indigenous artefacts suddenly became a hot commodity to be collected and placed in museums and other institutions, and many tribal groups were looted of their precious items by over-zealous collectors. It is only in recent years that many Native organisations have been calling for a return of some of their sacred items, such as masks and regalia, that symbolise their cultural heritage.
Mermaid style~Pink 3 band wool with elktooth, pendleton, tulle bottom & Crow applica design. Made by Della Bighair-Stump ~ owner / designer of Designs by Della ♡ Photography @ksada83
Information about the Diné (Navajo People), Language, History, and Culture
This photo from an out of print book published in 1971 shows an Amuzgo weaver from the area of Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero Mexico
.
Tim Pitsiulak - Tornado Warning Showpiece 30 x 22 coloured pencil drawing
As teachers in Australia, we know it is important to integrate First Nations content and perspectives in our classrooms.
Please click on the map image or here for a full size version. The map of Canadian First Nations pre-European contact has only been hanging on Allan Yerxa’s office wall for a few days, but already the response has been “wow.”
Ahpeahtone, also known as Que-Tah-Tsay or Apiatan (1856 – August 8, 1931) was a chief of the Kiowa tribe in Oklahoma, who is regarded as the last traditional chief of the tribe.
Red Berry Woman-Norma Baker-Flying Horse
Ainu rice mortar, made from a hollowed-out sugi (cryptomeria) log, 1948 by John W. Bennett
Describes a world where humans and animals share bodies and languages, where the world of the imagination mixes easily with the physical.
Chief of the Mattaponi Indians from 1944 to 1969.
Proud
Portrait of First Nations Nuu-chah-nulth women Annie Williams on left and Ellen Curley, on right, weaving baskets at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, St Louis, Missouri, June 6, 1904. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
Young Walapai Indian woman with a pack on her back, Hackbury, Arizona, ca.1900
Maori man of New Zealand. Pinterest @sweetness
