ABOUT THE MAKAH NATIVE

AMERICANS!By-Ryen Bothur12/7/11

Who are They?Where did They Live? The Makah natives lived in the Pacific Northwest. Mostly in the state of Washington. Their tribe name Makah “means generous ones”. They had a different name for themselves Qwiqwidicait

(Qwi-Qwi-dic-ait) which means “people of the point”

Natural Resources! The Makah used buffalo brains to wash their clothing.

EEEEWWWWW!

They also used birds feathers to decorate their clothing and houses.

They used rocks and long sticks to make harpoons and spears to hunt.

They used logs to build their houses.

Hunters or Gatherers? The men hunted seals, sea lions, and

whales. They also hunted and caught deer, fish,

and birds. They hunted with harpoons, arrows, and

spears. The women gathered plants, berries, roots,

clams, and shellfish.

Homes and Shelters! The Makah lived in log houses. They were very long, up to 60 feet long. They were usually rectangular with flat roofs. They housed many families in the same clan.

Final Thoughts About the Makah Tribe! The Makah decedents still celebrate

Makah days. Very few people know the Makah

language today, but they only know it as a second language.

Other Facts About the Makah Tribe! In 1936 the Makah tribe signed the Makah

Constitution giving them a five member tribal council.

In 1834 an old broken down Japanese ship landed near Cape Flattery, the crew was held as slaves by the Makah people for many months.