Periods, Cultures, Styles > Northwest Coast Native American

Northwest Coast Native American

Northwest Coast refers to Indigenous people along the coast of British Columbia, Washington State, parts of Alaska, Oregon, and Northern California.

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North America > Canada, United States

Basics Works of Art Artists Periods, Cultures, Styles Curated Guides

Basics to get you started

About geography and chronological periods in Native American art

Northwest Coast Basketry—Woven Traditions

Terms and Issues in Native American Art

Works of Art

Teaching guide: Saxman Totem Park and the New Deal in Alaska

originally carved in the 19th century, recarved c. 1940

first carved 1880s, recarved c. 1940

The Chief Johnson Totem Pole

first carved in 1902, recarved by Israel Shotridge in 1989

The story of the Oyster Man, a Tlingit totem pole

originally carved in the 19th century, recarved c. 1940

Dorica Jackson, Diving Whale Chilkat Robe

2002–18

Haida potlatch pole

19th century

Tlingit mortuary and memorial totem poles

19th century

19th century

Proud Raven totem pole at Saxman Totem Park

first carved 1880s, recarved c. 1940

Haida Totem Pole, from Old Kasaan

19th century

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Artists

Detail of totem pole by Henry and Tony Hunt and tipi in the background at the Indians of Canada Pavilion, 1967 (Library and Archives Canada / Canadian Corporation for the 1967 World Exhibition)

Detail of totem pole by Henry and Tony Hunt and tipi in the background at the Indians of Canada Pavilion, 1967 (Library and Archives Canada / Canadian Corporation for the 1967 World Exhibition)

Simon Hwunumetse' Charlie

Israel Shotridge

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Periods, Cultures, Styles

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Tsimshian, shaman’s rattle, c. 1750–80, birch, bone, hair, pigment, and metal pins, made in British Columbia, Canada, 35.6 x 22.9 x 11.4 cm on view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Charles and Valerie Diker Collection)

Tsimshian

Ceremonial belt (Kwakwaka’wakw), late 19th century, wood, cotton, paint, and iron (Field Museum, Chicago)

Kwakwaka’wakw

Dorica Jackson, Diving Whale Chilkat Robe, 2002–18, design from The Basketry of the Tlingit and the Chilkat Blanket by George Emmons, Merino wool and yellow cedar bark (Totem Heritage Center, Ketchikan, Alaska)

Tlingit

Carriere’s Archaeology Basket under construction for the New York American Museum of Natural History remodeled Northwest Coast Hall. Ed made layers of weaves with the bottom rows a 4,500-year-old style, middle rows 3,000-years-old, and top 2,000-year-old Salish Sea ancient weaves. The next rows will be the last 1,000 years in his traditional territory. Photo by Dale Croes.

Suquamish

Haida potlatch pole, 19th century, from the village of Old Kasaan, exact dimensions unknown (Totem Heritage Center, Ketchikan, Alaska)

Haida

Unrealized design concept for the Indians of Canada Pavilion. March 1966 (© Government of Canada, reproduced with the permission of Library and Archives Canada, Library and Archives Canada / Canadian Corporation for the 1967 World Exhibition)

Cowichan

Unrealized design concept for the Indians of Canada Pavilion. March 1966 (© Government of Canada, reproduced with the permission of Library and Archives Canada, Library and Archives Canada / Canadian Corporation for the 1967 World Exhibition)

Tseshaht

Curated Guides to Northwest Coast Native American

All Textbook Chapters Thematic Series

Northern Northwest Coast Art

Textbook Chapter - Reframing Art History

Seeing America

Thematic Series