736+Chinook,+the+Northwest

Participants: 1.Erdem Sat 2.Ryan Bordes 3.Katrina Stankevich 4.Daniel Volchek 5.Miguel Oviedo 6.Emma Netel

Facts about the Chinook Nation
 * The name Chinook means a long dry wind that flows over the Rocky Mountains.
 * They were first documented by Lewis and Clark during their journey across America.
 * The Chinook Nation was mostly known for the hand woven baskets that they traded with the British and with the local tribes.
 * The nation was known to be one of the best traders in the northwest.
 * They traded seal oil, fur, hand made baskets, copper, jewelry, dugout masks, beaver skins and other resources that they had in the wild.
 * Every family that was related was a clan and the oldest member of the family was the leader.
 * The leader of the Nation was always a man.
 * Family heritage was based on the woman's side instead of the man, which meant the lineage was matrilineal.
 * Lewis and Clark described them as a peaceful tribe.
 * They used a chest plate to protect them selves in combat.

__ Why is the study of Native American History important? __ The study of native American history is important because when the Europeans settled in the Americas they mistook America as India, which triggered a stereotype of the Native Americans as "Indians". This study is important because as we learn more about the Native Americans and their varied cultures and beliefs, we will understand them better and we won't have to go through a conflicted time with them,so we can wage peace and harmony instead of war with this fascinating culture.

__ How and why did Native Americans form their first governments and communities; how were they like? __ Native Americans might have learned political skills from the Europeans in trading for fruits and crops grown by the nations themselves. Also they could have took a decision to become more like the invading Europeans. Some Native Americans may have adapted the European Culture and changed their lifestyle while others may have chosen the old ways of living. But one thing is certain, almost all Native American nations developed a type of government in which most of the time a chief was in charge. Some even went as far as to develop alliances with other nations that had common interests in mind. They were also very adept diplomats and proved capable of governing themselves quite democratically.

__ How did and/or how could Native Americans get along with Europeans? __ When Europeans arrived in America, they got along with some native Americans, and went to war with others. When Europeans went to war in America, the Native Americans took sides in their battles and therefore got in wars with the enemy Europeans. In the end, however, the natives were pushed off of their lands and into reservations, like our nation. If the Native Americans and Europeans where to coexist peacefully, the Europeans should not have been so greedy in taking the Native American's land, as most of the blame goes to them. Also, the Native Americans should have tried to negotiate more, for it might have helped.

 This is a basket from the Chinook that was probably used  to store food and/or valuable items until needed. This shows that  the Chinook were very skilled craftspeople and used color  to decorate their belongings elaborately.



This is how it looks inside of a Chinook native House. Chinook Houses were big and over 70 feet long. The Chinook use a canoe-like boat to travel to different places and trade with other nations to gain valuable items.



 The above picture is of an totem pole carved from a tree carved by the Indians.  The paint used for this came from the things they could find.  For example green came from algae or juice from grass.