Chinookan Native Americans

Chinookan Indian Photos by Edward S. Curtis
History
The Chinookan resided in permanent villages near the coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean and along the banks of the Columbia River in Washington and Oregon.   They were skilled fishermen and hunters, and were surrounded by natural resources that offered them plentiful food beyond their needs.  Salmon was a staple food in their diet.  They were a settled coastal population who did not migrate through other tribal territories, and thus had very little conflicts with neighbouring tribes.  They lived in long houses that often accommodated more than 50 people.  These houses were made of red cedar trees and could range from 20-60 feet wide and 50-150 feet long.