The Importance Of Beliefs Of The Chinook People

The Chinooks were a very interesting tribe of native americans they lived by the columbian river and they were one of the tribes discovered by lewis and clark they are very good at fishing and growing food. They believed in the great spirit was there one main belief of the chinook people. The great spirit was based on the powers of nature which consist of spirits and and animal deities that protected the humans from danger. Protection was their main power and they believed with this protection they the people were able to do various activities that allow human survival. This is why they believe animals have such a high importance as they treat them with respect as equals and even superiors. They also believe that they are summoned by the great
spirit to sustain man and the food, shelter and clothing that they need.
The chinooks lived in more than 30 villages each village had a hereditary chief, the chief was in charge of breaking up quarrels, he also supervised subsequent activities, and provided for his village in time of need. His privileges include taking food, goods, or women at will. The chief is assisted by an orator who spoke directly to the lower ranked people.
The chinook people made baskets and they were made out of cedar bark and dyed with natural materials. Theses baskets could be made quickly in the forest and used to transport surplus food.