By. Da’von Hudson, Alex Ruiz, and Javier Staley
THE WAYS OF THE
KWAIKUITL
The Ways of the Kwaikuitl Social Studies-Third Core
Mrs. Venable Da’von Hudson, Alex Ruiz, and Javier Staley
March Third, 2016
Kwaikuitl Diet
The Kwaikuitl indians were excellent fishermen, taking canoes that they had crafted from tree bark, carved planks, twigs, and animal skin. The Kwaikuitl indians would use their weapons (spears and bows), string with bugs tied on, and their hands to capture their underwater meal.
They caught fish, small and large, usually salmon; along with shellfish; clams; seals; sea otters; and the occasional small whale; along with seaweed for food and other uses, such as decorations, spice, and to obtain the salt for uses such as putting on food.
Kwaikuitl Diet The Kwaikuitl indians also ate plants, such as berries, roots, and nuts, placed into a traditionally made basket, woven from dried long grass and twigs, usually collected by the woman of the tribe.
Kwaikuitl Creations (Arts and Crafts)
Kwaikuitl Creations (Arts and Crafts) The Kwaikuitl indians quite often created spiritual traditional celebratory masks. These masks were usually created from tree bark that was then scraped into a thin, curved slab of wood that, after being warmed over a fire, was then painted with paints made from berries before cutting eye holes. After letting the paint dry, they were usually decorated with colorful feathers and other objects.
Kwaikuitl Creations (Arts and Crafts) The woman of the tribes often made pottery with clay from the water and mud from the rain. After collecting the source material, they have to carefully shape the pot. Soon, after letting it dry again and heating it over a fire, they begin the painting process. After the paint then proceeds to dry, they carefully chip away piece by piece of the pottery to make markings to then paint over. After letting the paint dry again, they check for cracks and holes. Once the pot is completed, it is used to collect water, sometimes put grain inside of, and used to hold flowers and other materials, such as spices and salt for cooking.
Kwaikuitl Creations (Arts and Crafts) The Kwaikuitl quite often created jewelry from their own materials. They would create string from what they could get, such as from fleece. Afterwards, they would take their item, usually a jewel, a token of good life or luck, or a spiritual item, and tie it onto the string. After the settlers and colonists arrived, they also put on glass beads and gems not found in The New World, currently known as North America.
Kwaikuitl Creations (Arts and Crafts) The Kwaikuitl made totem poles, but unlike their other creations, totem poles were not made often. Totem poles were made every time two people were married and totem poles were passed down until either the family died out, or the totem pole rotted away and fell. With these poles, stories were passed down as well. These poles could only be solved by someone who lived in the family of whom was taught the story. Totem poles are first created by selecting your story and animals. Afterwards, they would cut down whatever they needed and scrape off the bark. Then, they would begin carving the animals. Once it was carved, it would be painted with berries and decorated brightly. Soon after it dries, it would stand in the ground and tell the story of the family name spiritually forever.
Works Cited Page Kent. "Explore the Native American Nations." Slideplayer.com. Robert Morgan, 6 July 2015. Web. 7 Mar. 2016. <http://slideplayer.com/slide/5674477/>.