How did Northwest Coast Indian peoples weave cedar bark into useful objects?

Northwest Coast Indian peoples utilized the inner bark of the giant arborvitae (red cedar) to create a variety of functional items through specialized weaving techniques.1

The process involved stripping the inner bark from the tree and preparing it in two primary ways:

• Checkerwork: The bark was processed into long, ribbonlike strands and woven into mats and baskets using a checkerwork technique.1
• Twining: The material was shredded into finely divided, flexible hanks. These hanks were then twined together to construct practical garments, such as slip-on rain capes shaped like truncated cones.1

Additionally, the softer inner bark of the yellow cedar was specifically used to create robes for clothing. These techniques demonstrate the high level of skill indigenous groups in the region applied to their natural environment to produce essential everyday objects.1