this post was submitted on 27 Mar 2024
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Showerthoughts
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There was no such thing as an easy life pre-1900
No, it's pretty arguable that the first nations of the "Pacific North West" had it ridiculously good for a hunter-gatherer society.
Which is why they didn't progress into "more advanced" tools or housing; they didnt need to. For example, Western Red Cedar is very close to a perfect wood. Grows quickly, grows very straight, little to no knots, easily split and can be turned into fibers for clothing, but its also fairly strong and can be made into structural housing. And it's naturally rot resistant.
Hell, they made ocean capable dugout canoes from them, as well as everything else from homes to totem poles, artwork, furniture and clothing. Then for food they had rudimentary agriculture for some items, but most of the coastal diet was Pacific Salmon, caught though spears or nets.
As far as I understand it, the only aggressive culture in the region was the Haida because they lived on relatively small chain of islands. Everyone else basically just lived and partied.
Any sources for this information? sounds like there may something interesting to read here.
Unfortunately its all in person knowledge from living in the area.
Coast Salish Agriculture: permanent exhibit at UBC Botanical Garden. Specifically how they cultivated groves of Garry Oak trees.
Searching Garry Oak or Garry Oak Tree turns up a fair bit of resources to read there.
In general, a bit to read about a non PNW native agriculture is a short excerpt in The World Without Us by Alan Weisman. He talks about what we consider the "natural state" of the island of Manhattan. To paraphrase: If you consider it plains or meadow, that's not the natural state. That state was one created and managed by native people in the area when European explorers and settlers arrived.
As for their use of the western red cedar. Again, in person. For in person visits and information I would recommend:
• Grouse Mountain maintains a small collection, as well as some respectable Alpine-ish hiking in the summer.
• Sea To Sky Gondola in Squamish, BC: tourist attraction run by the local native band.
• The best would of course be the UBC Museum of Anthropology. Edit: which works with the native groups to display/restore/preserve artifacts. Its not just pilfered stuff.
Thanks!