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NAME: ______
Humans and the Environment CBA
Group: Makah
A. The Relationship Between Humans and Their Environment
1. Describe how the location of where this group lives determines how their basic needs are met. You will need to reference a map.
The Makah tribe was one of many tribes that dwelled along the coast of the Pacific Northwest. Their land was located at the very tip of the Olympic Peninsula in the state of Washington. It stretched from Cape Flattery to the present day towns of Neah Bay and Ozette. Located in the most northwestern corner of the United States, Makah land was bound by the Pacific Ocean on the west, with its northern boundary defined by the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Its eastern and southern borders stretched inland into the Olympic Rain Forest. Although the weather along the coast of the Pacific Northwest is considered mild, this stretch of coastland can experience harsh winters. For example, Pacific storms often unleash high winds and bring about severe rainstorms. The average annual rainfall, for this region, is more than 100 inches. Therefore, the climate for this area is considered to be cool and wet.
Living along the coast of the Pacific Ocean and the Strait of Juan de Fuca provided many rich resources for the Makah. For example, they enjoyed a wide variety of food such as fish, whales, marine animals, and shellfish. Sea life also provided for other needs such as rope, utensils, clothing, and tools. In addition to these large bodies of water, some rivers and streams were also located inland. This provided fish such as salmon, halibut, and cod.
Further inland, the Makah enjoyed the lush rain forests of the Olympic Mountains. Nourished by heavy rains, this rain forest provided many wonderful resources for the Makah tribe. It provided foods such as berries, roots, and game. The forest also provided wood and bark from trees that was used for shelters, clothing, and for tools used in gathering and hunting.
The location of the Makah tribe was significant in determining how their needs would be met Their environment encouraged the Makah to establish the ways of hunters, gatherers, fisherman, wood crafters, and whalers.
The Makah; Eder; Pages 9-12; Map, page 11.
The Makah; Nelson; pages 9-17; Map, page 10.
Indians of The Northwest; Petra Press; Page 9.
Nations of the Northwest Coast; Page 4.
2. How does this group interact with their environment to meet their needs? Give three
examples.
Because of their location and environment, the Makah enjoyed a land rich in food and natural resources. They interacted with their environment in many ways to meet their basic needs. For example, living on the coast of both the Pacific Ocean and the Strait of Juan de Fuca provided foods such as seals, sea lions, whales, and other marine life. Shellfish was also abundant such as mussels, barnacles, clams, crab, and oysters. The sea also provided resources for tools and utensils. Seaweed and kelp were used to make rope and fishing nets. Sealskins were inflated and used as water floats. Whalebones made handy cutting and carving tools, while shells served as knives, harpoon tips, spoons, and dippers.
Further inland, the Makah enjoyed streams and rivers where they fished for salmon, halibut, and cod. The inland rain forests also provided salmonberry, blackberry, salal, thimbleberry, and huckleberry, which were widely harvested by the Makah. Some of the harvested berries were eaten fresh, but many were dried and stored for the winter. Also, many plants were used as medicines. Licorice fern worked wonders for coughs; salmon bark was prescribed for pain, and the deer and maidenhair fern were used for stomachaches. In addition to berries and medicine plants, the forest also provided game such as deer, elk, bear, and other animals that were hunted for food. Hides and fur were then used for clothing, blankets, and home furnishings such as rugs.
Wood and bark were other resources provided by the lush rain forests of the Olympic Mountains. Evergreen trees such as the western hemlock, red cedar, and the sitka spurce were found within these forests, along with the alder, maple, and cherry. From hemlock branches, fishhooks were shaped and fashioned, while the yew provided a strong, hard wood, used for making sturdy harpoon shafts. However, the red cedar was by far the most popular and widely used because it could be easily split and carved. Cedar planks and poles were used to build longhouses, while cedar logs were carved into canoes that were used for whaling, hunting, fishing, and traveling. Also, cedar bark was shredded and woven into hats, capes, skirts, boxes, baskets, rope, nets, and fishing lines.
Although the Makah are highly skilled in many ways, they are most known for their whaling. Three to four whales could supply a year’s worth of food for an entire village. During a whale hunt, an eight-man crew paddled cedar canoes to sea. When a whale was spotted, the men fell silent and prayed for good fortune. Then, as the whale surfaced, several harpoons were thrust close to the whale’s heart. Attached to each harpoon were sealskin floats, inflated with air, which prevented the whale from diving and kept it at the water’s surface. One crewmember would then dive into the water and tie the mouth shut to prevent it from taking in water and sinking. Many times, the whale would tow the canoe and its eight-man crew many miles before it became exhausted and died. Back on land, the whale was
divided into portions and distributed amongst the villagers according to their status. Most villagers would receive adequate portions of whale meat and oil. However, the choicest
portions were reserved for whalers who were considered high status. All parts of the whale had a specific purpose and use; therefore, none of the whale was wasted.
Although the Makah were hunters, gatherers, fisherman, and woodcrafters, they were also traders. They traded with many coastal tribes as well as with American and European traders. Their encounter with foreign traders brought about changes within their culture. No longer were hunting and whaling solely a spiritual quest for food and materials; it became a business. For example, in the late 1700’s, the Makah began to supply the high demand for sea otter pelts and whale oil to American and English traders in exchange for tools, kettles, and blankets.
The Makah; Eder; Pages24-27.
The Makah; Nelson; pages 29-32.
3. How does the environment influence the group’s lifestyle, traditions, and beliefs? Give
three examples.
Everything the Makah did was spiritually centered. The quest for food, the creation of woodwork, and the gathering of food all had a spiritual meaning. They believed that all plants and animals had spirits and the Creator of Daylight ruled over all. Before hunting, harvesting, or cutting a tree, the Makah would pray to the Creator of Daylight, asking to be worthy of taking the life of a plant or animal. Images such as sea life, animals, and birds were often carved or painted onto woodwork, ceremonial masks, art, and woven goods to show connection to the spirit world.
Another way the environment influenced Makah beliefs is through their mystical hero, the thunderbird. The legend of the thunderbird explains how the tradition of whale hunting came to be. It is said that at one time only fish was eaten. But one day, storms rolled over the oceans, so fierce, that the people could no longer fish. The thunderbird, with its powerful talons, caught a whale and brought it to the Makah for food. Since that day, the Makah have hunted the whale for food.
The environment also influenced how whalers prepared for a whale hunt. For instance, it was tradition for whalers to swim in cold waters and imitate the actions of a whale as it blew water at the water’s surface. By doing this, they believed the whales would surrender their spirit. Meanwhile, as whalers were out at sea, their wives would lie quietly in bed with their heads pointing away from the sea. It was believed that this would calm the whales and bring them closer to shore.
Furthermore, salmon were considered to be people living beneath the sea. Therefore, to get salmon to return the following season, salmon bones were tossed back into the water once the fish were cleaned.
Finally, the environment provided for many rich resources, which in turn were given away in ceremonies known as potlatches. Potlatch ceremonies lasted one to two weeks and built honor or helped celebrate important events.
The Makah; Eder; Pages 24-28.
The Makah; Nelson; pages 19-22.
B. The Effect People Have On Their Environment
1. In what ways does this group affect their environment as they meet their needs? Give
three examples.
Because the Makah believed they were one with nature, they worshiped and respected the earth and all it produced. It was because of this belief that they only took what was needed and wasted nothing. However, in the late 1700’s this all changed. As European and American traders began to interact with the Makah, hunting, fishing, and whaling became more commercial. For example, during the 1790’s sea otter pelts were in high demand in the western world. As a result, by the early 1800’s, commercial hunting by the Makah and foreign traders nearly caused the extinction of sea otters.
Another affect caused by commercial hunting was the near extinction of whales. In the late 1800’s, whale oil became a popular commodity. As a result, the Makah and foreign traders extensively hunted whales. By 1920, the Makah quit hunting whales, and in 1986 a worldwide ban on whale hunting was put into place. Because of this ban, the number of whales has continually increased. With the increase in whale populations, the United States government has reinstated whaling rights back to the Makah. Each year the Makah are allowed to hunt up to five gray whales. The Makah no longer hunt whales for commercial purposes, but hunt to spiritually connect to the spirit world, and to also preserve their cultural traditions.
Today, the Makah operate two fish hatcheries on their reservation. The hatcheries conduct research as well as help keep fish populations in balance. Also, because this group still takes pride in their woodwork, and weaving, they currently have tree plantations that help to replenish the forests.
The Makah; Eder; Pages 13-19; 36-39.
The Makah; Nelson; pages 29-33.
C. Conclusion
1. Briefly state how the environment affected this group’s way of life.
The Makah dwelled on the edge of two great bodies of water. Their territory was bound by the Pacific Ocean on the west and the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the north. This provided a climate that was wet and mild, with an annual rainfall of 100 inches or more. As a result of this great rainfall, they also enjoyed the majestic rain forest of the Olympic Mountains. The sea and the forests provided abundantly for the Makah and encouraged the development of skills such as hunting, whaling, fishing, gathering, and woodworking.
- Briefly state how this group affected the environment as they met their needs.
In the early days of the Makah, seeking food and meeting basic needs was a spiritual quest. They believed they were one with nature and worshiped the land through prayers and songs of thanksgiving. Only what was needed was taken from the land and nothing was wasted. Sadly, this changed as contact was made with foreign traders. The quest for food and natural resources became commercial, and as a result, whales and sea otters came close to extinction, and natural rain forests became sparse. Today, however, the Makah work diligently to preserve their natural resources by planting young trees to help replenish forests, limiting the amount of whales hunted annually, and maintaining fish hatcheries for research and to maintain healthy fish populations.
3. Briefly describe how studying this group’s interaction with their environment can help us understand a current issue.
Throughout the history of the Makah, it was often proven that this group could quickly adapt to changes in their society. It was also evident that the Makah were resourceful businessmen and entrepreneurs. Yet, adaptation and change came at a great price: diminishing rain forests, the near extinction of whales, as well as the near extinction of sea otters. Studying the Makah helps us to explore more deeply the long-term affects a changing society can make on our environment. Additionally, today, the Makah believe in the importance of replenishing the earth of resources that have been taken from it. By doing so, they can help maintain environmental balance. If we can view nature in a similar way, this could result in the reduction of endangered species as well as a reduction in the depletion of our natural resources.
C. Bibliography. Need to reference at least two sources.
1. Eder, Jeanne Oyawin, The Makah. Austin, Texas: Raintree Steck-Vaughn Publishing,
2000.
2. Mapquest. Children’s Atlas of the United States. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Gareth Stevens
Publications, 2004.
3. Nelson, Sharlene and Nelson, Ted, The Makah. Canbury, Connecticut: Watts Library,
2003.
4. Petra Press, Indians of the Northwest. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Courage Books, 1997.
5. Smithyman, Kathryn, and Kalman, Bobbie, Nations of the Northwest Coast. New York,
New York: Crabtree Publishing Company, 2004.