Northwest+Coast+People

=__Northwest Coast People:__=

The Northwest Coast people lived along the western coast of North America, between B.C and Washington.
Their environment had many islands and deep, narrow coastal inlets. They climate there is mild and rainy.

These people ate:

 * ====Fish: salmon, cod and halibut====
 * ====Mammals: deer, whales, seals, porpoises, sea otters and sea lions====
 * ====Shellfish: clams, mussels and crabs====
 * ====Also gathered and ate fern roots, berries and the inner bark of hemlock and other trees.====

They obtained their food from the sea and land. They fished, hunted and gathered food. Men hunted, fished and gathered the food. Women prepared the food.
**__Political Needs:__**

Kinship ties based on clan and lineage were important. Northern coastal tribes were matrilineal. Southern coastal tribes were patrilineal and central groups consited of each.
**__Social Needs:__**

The Northwest Coast social system structured by

 * ==== aristocrats: chiefs at the top, through nobles and commoners to slaves. ====
 * ====rank based on inheritance, marriage and north slaves could not move up; they could only marry slaves.====

The purpose of a potlatch was to establish rank in society to share good fortune and celebrate
= **__Spiritual Needs:__** =

Their spiritual and religious beliefs:

 * ====believed in one supreme being and lesser spirits.====
 * ====many taboos to ensure that no spirit would be offended; had to do special tasks.====