How did Coast Salish, Nuu-chah-nulth, Kwakiutl, Bella Coola, Tsimshian, and Haida peoples use coastal resources?

The Coast Salish, Nuu-chah-nulth, Kwakiutl, Bella Coola, Tsimshian, and Haida peoples of the British Columbia coast developed a sophisticated economy centered on the efficient use of abundant marine and forest resources.123

Resource Utilization

These groups relied heavily on the sea, utilizing a variety of fish—most notably salmon—as well as halibut, cod, herring, and oil-rich candlefish (eulachon). They also hunted sea mammals, such as gray whales, and gathered shellfish and wild plant foods. Each village typically held rights to specific coastal waterways and upland territories for terrestrial hunting and gathering.4351

Technology and Trade

To exploit these resources, they became expert fishers and hunters, employing traps, nets, hooks, spears, and specialized toggling harpoons for whaling. They constructed seaworthy dugout canoes for transportation and trade. Their economy was highly enterprising; they traded goods such as copper, furs, elk hides, shells, and candlefish oil along extensive intertribal routes.231

Material Culture

The massive cedars of the coastal mountains were essential to their way of life. They built large, rectangular dwellings from cedar beams and planks and used cedar bark for clothing and baskets. Wood was also central to their artistic traditions, including the creation of totem poles and ceremonial masks.2614