Northwest Coast tribes considered animals to be similar to human beings but with varying degrees of supernatural power. Each animal had its own teachings and healing medicines. All were capable of taking human form and assumed their other forms when consorting with humans. There were salmon people, herring people and grizzly bear people. In lore, frequent references are given to a time when animals were humans, gifted with the power of speech and other human attributes. People believed that animals had souls that were immortal and reborn after death.

ART HISTORY

Northwest Coast art is distinguished by the use of form lines and characteristic shapes referred to as ovoids, U forms and S forms. Before European contact, the most common materials were wood, stone and copper. Since European contact, paper, canvas, glass, and precious metals have also been used. If paint is included, the most common colors are red and black, but yellow is also integrated. The patterns depicted include natural forms such as bears, ravens, eagles and humans as well as legendary creatures such as thunderbirds and sisiutls. Abstract forms made up of the characteristic Northwest Coast shapes were also represented. Totem poles are the most well-known artifacts produced using this style. Northwest Coast artists are also notable for producing distinctive "bent-corner" or "bentwood" boxes, masks and canoes. Northwest Coast designs were also used to decorate traditional First Nations household items such as spoons, ladles, baskets, hats, and paddles. Since European contact, the Northwest Coast art style has increasingly been utilized in gallery-oriented forms such as paintings, prints and sculptures.