Native Americans for 4th
Arctic – Inuit
Northwest – Kwakiutl
Plateau – Nez Perce
Southwest – Hopi
Plains – Pawnee
Southeastern - Seminole
"kwah-kee-oo-tull”
Northwest - Kwakiutl
Northwest - Kwakiutl
"kwah-kee-oo-tull”
ˌkwɑ kiˈut l/
kwah-kee-oot-l
regional and geographic
boundaries of the United
States
Northwest - Kwakiutl
“We have been called the Kwakiutl ever since 1849,
when the white people came to stay in our territories.
It was a term then applied to all the
Kwakwaka'wakw—that is, all of the people who
speak the language Kwakwala. Today, the name
Kwakiutl only refers to those from our village of Fort
Rupert. Other Kwakwaka'wakw have their own
names and villages.”
Northwest
Kwakiutl
Kwakiutl (according to their own folk etymology
the name signifies 'smoke of the world', but
probably means 'beach at the north side of the
river').
The Kwakiutl also inhabited the coast in parts of
Alaska, Washington, and Oregon.
Kwakiutl live between the forest and the sea.
Summer villages were built near prime fishing spots.
This was both along the coast and up river. It was
composed of small wooden cabins for temporary use.
They were rectangular with long, sloping, or flat roof.
Winter villages were built in sheltered locations that
Offered protection from high winter tides and fierce
storms from the Pacific. These villages consisted of
large houses, sometimes elevated on stilts to escape
tides. But all homes had doorways facing the beach
and ocean.
The wooden winter homes were made first by
frames. Building them took a lot of cooperative
efforts. The houses were around 10ft wide, 100ft
long and 20ft high. Walls and roof were structurally
separate and could be removed to allow light and
ventilation into the home.
"The Big-Houses"
They were very large homes that could house up to
four families. They built the houses with logs from
red cedar trees and wood pegs. The roof was made
of removable boards so that smoke from fires used to
cook and for warmth could be released. They painted
and decorated their homes just like totem poles.
The totem pole is a record
of family history.
…would put totem poles on the outside of their
houses. The totem poles were on the two front
corners with one in the center to enter the house.
Many Kwakiutls lived in longhouses also known
as plank houses. Plank houses were similar to the
longhouse except they were taller.
Kwakiutl Indian tribe's food supplies were plentiful.
The forest food includes deer, moose, rabbit, beaver,
edible roots, nuts, and berries. Most hunting was
done in the winter when the animals migrate down
from the mountains.
The Kwakiutl depended on the forest and the
ocean for food. Salmon was the staple food.
They made canoes from tall cedar trees. They lived
near the water lines so they used the sea or the
ocean to move.
Kwakiutl clothing was mainly made from cedar-bark
and fur. They mainly wore robes and capes with
hoods made from these materials. The women
wore aprons made of bark bound together with goat
hair.
Mats for floors were also used as clothing. During
cold, wet, weather, warm and water resistant clothing
was mandatory. The most common of the dress was
a garment like a cedar bark cape or cloak, or blanket.
During the summer, the Kwakiutl
wore few clothes. Men and boys
wore breechcloth. Women wore a
short skirt only. They did wear
moccasins, but most of the time
they went barefoot.
The potlatch is a gift-giving ceremony held
at major life events.
The potlatch could last for several days.
Kwakiutl Potlatch
… are well-known for their masks and totem
poles, which depict animals and supernatural
beings. Masks are an integral part dances and
the stories they tell.
Kwakiutl women gathered plants, herbs
and clams and did most of the child care
and cooking. Men were fishermen and
hunters. Both genders took part in
storytelling, artwork and music, and
traditional medicine. The Kwakiutl chief
was always a man, but the clan leaders
could be either men or women