Culture



ulture refers to the Knowledge and ideas, the customs and traditions, the arts and skills that we learn and use everyday of our lives. Until the late 1880's Northwest Coast Salish people lived in long houses made of hand split cedar planks and traveled mainly by water. In several types of dugout canoes, some family groups carve totem poles and intricate masks which are displayed at potlatches or feasts. The Sliammon language was not only the Coast Salish people's way of communication but one of the main aspects of their culture. Even though the language is not or used spoken fluently among our people, it is being revolutionized by our elders and more and more people, particularly the younger generation, are grasping the dialect to take into the new millennium.	eople of high-status in Sliammon society were those who owned ceremonial rights, who had access to wealth or who were proficient in a specialized skill such as hunting. Potentially, every man of high-status could be a headman, but men who did so were the sons of headmen. A headman was dignified, modest and above all, generous. He gave frequent feasts and gifts to ensure the continued support of his extended family. A person's status was measured by material property and ceremonial privileges. Material possessions included canoes, houses, blankets and hunting grounds. Ceremonial privileges included songs, names and dances.

he 1920's were probably the lowest years in the cultural history of all the Northwest Natives. By 1930, the Coast Salish culture had almost been wiped out by disintegrating forces; early settlers and religious groups. n recent years, the Sliammon people along with other many other Northwest Native's, have felt the restless stirrings of a new pride in their cultural heritage, and grasped hold of old beliefs and customs to exert a powerful influence amongst Native people. With their once decimated populations on the upswing, the potlatch again legalized by the federal government, and all the treaty negotiations taking place within British Columbia; new incentives to re-establish their culture have grown rapidly amongst all Coast Salish people.

he 1920's were probably the lowest years in the cultural history of all the Northwest Natives. By 1930, the Coast Salish culture had almost been wiped out by disintegrating forces; early settlers and religious groups.