North Cascades

Salmon and the Native Americans

Salmon were an integral facet in the lives of the Native Americans who once resided in the Skagit River watershed.

"The abundance...and predictability of their spawning runs exerted an important influence on where (Native) people chose to establish (their)...villages" (Mierendorf and Reid, 1986).

The fish were a major food source and acted as a valuable trade item. Salmon also inspired artwork, stories, and teachings.

"On the west slope of the North Cascades, annual runs of salmon occurred within the Skagit River and its tributaries as far as the Skagit gorge above Newhalem" (Mierendorf and Reid, 1986).

Camps were established where fish were abundant; some of the camps were permanent villages, while others were used seasonally.

Salmon substantially contributed to the diet of the Native Americans. Fish were caught in nets and weirs made of cedar and grasses, with hook and line, and spears.

"Special guardian spirit power played an important role in fishing activities. Power was required...in making effective dip nets, and in supervising and carrying out specialized weir construction" (Smith, 1988).

"Although fish were eaten fresh, most were smoke-dried for winter. To be prepared for eating, salmon were covered with wet moss and steam-baked whole in an ash pit; were cut into pieces and stone-boiled in a box or basket, were split, spread with small splints, skewered onto sticks, and roasted in a slanting row around a fire; and prepared into small slices, were grilled over a fire. Salmon eggs were wrapped in alder bark and either roasted in hot ashes or hung over a small fire to dry for later consumption" (Smith, 1988).

"Fish oil, rendered and stored in large quantities, was also an important item in the (Native American's) larder, serving many purposes. It was his butter, dressing for salads, or for dried berries and dried fish, skin conditioner..." (Sampson, 1972).

The arrival of the of the salmon was marked with special ceremonies and rituals which honored the salmon and requested their return in subsequent years.