Cedar: Tree of Life to the Northwest Coast Indians

Arts & Photography

Stewart, Hilary

History & Criticism

University of Washington Press

First published in 1977 and unavailable for several years, Indian Fishing is more than a sterile account of the technology of fishing; it considers the momentous role of fish and fishing in the lives of the Northwest Coast peoples. A classic, thoroughly researched and informative text, it examines fishing techniques of the peoples who have lived on the coast for over nine thousand years, revealing their rich and complex culture. Hilary Stewart gathered material from museum archives, fish camps, and coastal village elders to document the Native heritage of handmade hooks, lines, sinkers, lures, floats, clubs, spears, harpoons, nets, traps, rakes, gaffs, and more. With more than 300 clear and detailed drawings, she illustrated how these tools were made and used. She twisted cedar bark and nettle fibers into cod fishing lines, and steam-bent a stem of yew into a halibut hook. Here, reprinted in full, is her original work, covering everything from how the catch was butchered, cooked, and preserved, to the prayers and ceremonies in gratitude to the fish, as well as customs and taboos that demonstrated the peoples' respect for this life-giving resource. Though there have been transformations in knowledge and scholarship since its first publication, Stewart's benchmark work, with its usefulness, artistry, and appreciation of Native culture, will be welcomed back into print.

Indian Fishing: Early Methods on the Northwest Coast

History

Americas

Indian fishing: Early methods on the Northwest Coast

This very informative and interesting book tells the early methods Indians used to fish on the Northwest Coast. From lures, nets, harpoons, to ways and tools of living, the wonderful illustrations provide excellent visual learning as well.

Sports & Outdoors

Hunting & Fishing

Bold, inventive and highly graphic, the indigenous art of the Northwest Coast is distinguished by its sophistication and complexity. It is also composed of basically simple elements, which, guided by a rich mythology, create images of striking power. This indispensable and beautifully illustrated book is the first to introduce everyone, from the casual observer to the serious collector of Northwest Coast prints, to the forms, cultural background and structures of this highly imaginative art. The elements of style are introduced; the myths and legends which shape the motifs are interpreted; the stylistic differences between the major cultural groupings are defined and illustrated. Raven, Thunderbird, Killer Whale, Bear: all the traditional forms are here, deftly analyzed by a professional writer and artist who has a deep understanding of this powerful culture.

Looking at Indian Art of the Northwest Coast

Robert Davidson, Haida Printmaker

Graphic Design

Univ. of Washington Press

Douglas & McIntyre, Ltd

The author, Hilary Stewart provides background into the growing habits of fifty (50) species of plants found in the Pacific Northwest, including how and when to harvest, dry and store the plant parts. She also provides a variety of methods and recipes for making herbal teas and coffees, cool lemonades, hot spicy drinks, refreshing juices, even cordials. This enticing, timeless book is an attractive and handy guidebook that will open up a whole world of plants for brewing tasty teas and refreshing drinks. The author's own finely worked line drawings, reproduced full page, accompany each plant, enabling readers without extensive botanical knowledge to find and identify these plants. This book is also filled with other interesting tidbits (i.e., mountain sorrel is so high in vitamin C that it was once eaten to prevent scurvy).

Wild Teas, Coffees and Cordials

Science & Math

Biological Sciences

Olympic Marketing Corp

Looks at the many uses for cedar devised by the Northwest Coast Indians, discusses the tools and techniques they used to work with it, and describes their spiritual beliefs concerning the wood

Politics & Social Sciences

Social Sciences

Discusses the historical and cultural background of totem poles, the types and purposes of poles, and the tools and techniques of raising them

Totem Poles

Sculpture

Univ of Washington Pr

Magnificent and haunting, the tall cedar sculptures called totem poles have become a distinctive symbol of the native people of the Northwest Coast. The powerful carvings of the vital and extraordinary beings such as Sea Bear, Thunderbird and Cedar Man are impressive and intriguing. Looking at Totem Poles is an indispensable guide to 110 poles in easily acessible outdoor locations in coastal British Columbia and Alaska. In clear and lively prose, Hilary Stewart describes the various types of poles, their purpose, and how they were carved and raised. She also identifies and explains frequently depicted figures and objects. Each pole, shown in a beautifully detailed drawing, is accompanied by a text that points out the crests, figures and objects carved on it. Historical and cultural background are given, legends are recounted and often the carver's comments or anecdotes enrich the pole's story. Photographs put some of the poles into context or show their carving and raising. This book is a companion volume to Hilary Stewart's enormously successful Looking at Indian Art of the Northwest Coast.

Looking at Totem Poles

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Books by Stewart, Hilary