pacific northwest native animal art appreciation and

Pacific Northwest Native Animal Art Appreciation

and Student PoemsBy

Lynnwood Elementary Students

The Northwest Coast runs along Norh America’s Pacific shore: ir goes from Alaska, along British Columbia, and the US states of Washington and Oregon.It is a rainy area covered by cedar forests. Because it is pretty far north, the area never gets too hot. And because the pacific ocean brings warm air, the area doesn’t get too cold. The first people came here about 11000 years ago. The ancestors of the Northwest coast natives found a place rich in natural resources from the sea and the forest.

“Historically, the Native People of the Northwest Coast who lived along the river valleys and coastal waters of the Pacific Northwest were all hunters and gatherers. The region had many resources from the sea and the forest. These people captured in their artwork the animals they hunted and observed. These included bears, killer whales, eagles, ravens, salmons, wolves, hummingbirds and even frogs.

As we look closer at Pacific Northwest Native Indian art pieces and notice the various basic elements such as colors, shapes used and how the different parts are put together, we get a much greater appreciation of the skills of these native artists. These skills are seeing a revival in the tribes that are still with us today. Pacific Northwest Native Indian art is unique and distinctive from other aboriginal arts.

The Northwest Coast Tribes use a distinctive stylized way of representing the animals that is specific to the Northwest Coast using ovals, U and S forms as seen on the left. The colors are black and red that could be obtained from elements found in nature

Animal Totems and symbols are carved and painted on to long wooden poles that represented the emblems of clans or families.They are also carvings, masks and other art that is has been recreated from historical or partly preserved pieces. There is a renewal of Native Art using the traditional skills and art form in the Northwest Coast stylized representation of animals.

Our students chose an animal from a list of animals that are important to the Native People of Pacific Northwest Coast and then wrote a short poem (Haiku, Cinquain or free verse)

Then they found a Native Stylized representation of that animal with the distinctive Northwest style. Some animals have specific meaning known only to families or clans, but general information can be found on what most animals represent, or the values they represent as a guiding spirit.

This stylized picture was made by a Pacific Northwest Native American Artist

Eagles in the nest

Animals and Northwest SymbolsEagle

This stylized picture of an Eagle was made by a Pacific Northwest

Native American ArtistThe eagle is a symbol of great

strength, courage and Leadership for Native Tribes of the

Northwest.

NWAnimal

The eagle flies homeTo his brown and red

nestWhere the mother birdIs watching the eggs.

Eagle HaikuBy Lily the best

Other Eagle representations

Eagle Totems in front of a lodge with Bear representation.


Bear

Animals and Northwest SymbolsBear

This stylized picture of a bear was made by a Pacific Northwest

Native American ArtistFor Native Tribes, the Bear is a

symbol of strength, motherhood and teaching.

BearStrong, ProtectiveWalking, growling,

hunting,Territorial creature

Frightening.

My Bear PoemBy Persephone

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodiak_bear


Orca can be spotted in the Pacific Northwest.

Animals and Northwest SymbolsOrca/Killer Whale

This stylized picture of an orca was made by a Pacific Northwest

Native American ArtistFor Pacific Northwest Tribes, the

Orca is a revered creature. It represents relatives that have

passed on to the sea underworld.

NWAnimal

Orcas eat salmonOrcas are really

mammalsThey protect their young

in family pods

Killer WhaleBy Melyk

This stylized picture was made by an artist from the Haida Tribe.

We have pods of resident orcas in the Pacific Northwest.


This stylized picture of an orca was made by an Artist from the

Haida Tribe.For Pacific Northwest Tribes, the Orca is a very special creature. It is a symbol of good and protector

of life.

NWAnimal

OrcaBlack, white

Hunting, talking, swimming,

They travel as familiesKiller Whale

OrcaBy Maite

This stylized picture was made by an artist from the Haida Tribe.

We have pods of resident orcas in the Pacific Northwest.


This stylized picture of an orca was made by an Artist from the

Haida Tribe.The Orca has very special

meaning as a protector of life. Unfortunately it is now

endangered and the Northwest tribes are trying to free Lolita that

was captured and is now at Seaworld. Orcas are very

intelligent and perform tricks.

NWAnimal

OrcaVocal, calm

Hunting, resting, swimming,

Endangered orca on the prowl,

Killer Whale

OrcaBy Chloee


Salmon swim upstream to spawn where they came from

Animals and Northwest SymbolsSalmon

This stylized picture of a salmon was made by a Pacific Northwest

Native American ArtistFor Pacific Northwest Tribes, the

salmon is a symbol of persistence and dependability, a provider of

food.

NWAnimal

Salmon swim downstream

And then back upstreamSwim all the way home.

Salmon HaikuBy Adam


Raven

Animals and Northwest SymbolsRaven

This stylized picture of a raven was made by Pacific Northwest

Haida Artist Clarence Milds.The Raven is a symbol of bringing the light to the people according

to a native legend.

Furious, strong,Sneaking, creeping,

cawingBlack bird flying,Caw, caw, caw!

My Raven poemBy Yohanna


Halibut tend to be a mottled dark brown on their upward-facing side and white on their downside (Wikipedia)

Animals and Northwest SymbolsHalibut

This stylized picture of a Halibut was made by a Pacific Northwest

Native American ArtistFor Pacific Northwest Tribes, the Halibut is a symbol of strength and stability and a protector of

life.

NWAnimal

HalibutFlat Fish

Living on sea bottom Swimming Chasing

Eating Predator with two eyes

on one sideMonster of the Sea

My Animal PoemBy Chris


Turtles can get very old

Animals and Northwest SymbolsTURTLES

This stylized picture of a turtle was made by Pacific Northwest

Artist .The Turtle symbolizes self reliance and tenacity and is

featured In many native legends.

Turtles have a shellThe shell protect their

bodyFrom all predators.

My Turtle HaikuBy Arizbeth

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Baby_turtle.jpg


Animals and Northwest SymbolsOWL

This stylized picture of an owl was made by Pacific Northwest

Artist .The Owl symbolizes wisdom and

the ability to see things.

Owl,Fast, silent

swooping, flying, sleeping

Mysterious animal of the night,

Hoot!

My Owl PoemBy Gia

A great horned owl


Seal

Animals and Northwest SymbolsSeal

This stylized picture of a seal was made by a Pacific Northwest

Native American ArtistFor Native Americans, the Seal is

a symbol of being bright, inquistive and organized.

I am a mammal I am amazing and cute

I eat lots of fish.Can you guess what I

am?A Seal !

My Seal HaikuBy Isabella

This stylized picture was made by a Tlingit

Raccoon

Animals and Northwest SymbolsWolfThis stylized picture of a Wolf was made by an artist from the Tlingit

TribeThe wolf is an important symbol in Native Tribes of the NortwestCoast. It can be the name of a

clan. The wolf indicates a strong sense of family and is seen as a

symbol of intelligence and leadership.

WolfFurry, wild

Playing, Howling, Hunting

Running with the packPredator

My Wolf PoemBy Azrak

Raccoon

Animals and Northwest SymbolsRaven

This stylized picture of a Raven was made by an artist from the

Haida TribeThe raven is an important symbol and is depicted in a native legend as being the bringer of the light to

the people. It is a symbol of creation and knowledge.

Raven,Black, thick billed

Snatching, eating, flyingI hope to see one

somewhereSnatcher

My Raven PoemBy Kenji

Raccoon

Animals and Northwest SymbolsWolf

This stylized picture of a Wolf was made by an artist from the Haida

TribeThe wolf is an important symbol

of strong family sense and leadership.

WolfGrey, furry

Wimpering, Whining, Barking

Howling at the moonGrowling Beast

My Wolf PoemBy Griselda


The crow is not as big as the raven and the beak is smaller.

Animals and Northwest SymbolsCrow

This drawing of a crow was made by a Native Artist.

The crow symbolizes the skill and cunning and how to find balance.

CrowLoud, black

Knowing, annoying, disturbing,Clever bird

American crow.

CrowBy Caden

This stylized picture was made by a Native Artist from the Haida Tribe.

Otters are very important in the ecosystem. They are a keystone species and without them nature would be out of balance.

Animals and Northwest SymbolsOtter

This otter was made by an artist from the Haida Tribe.

The beaver is a builder. It is a symbol of being bright, loyal and

speedy.

Otter,Playful, funny,

Sliding, swimming, belly flopping,

wrestling in a playful way,

Amazing Otter!

Otter By Isla


Beaver with flat tail

Animals and Northwest SymbolsBeaver

This beaver was was made by an artist from the Northwest Coast.

The beaver is a builder. It is a symbol of creative and artistic

abilities. It also shows resourcefulness and

determination.

Beaver,Strong, thick heavy tailSwimming, gnawing, building with a loud

Slapping noise,Builder

Beaver By Karas


Weasel and prey

Animals and Northwest SymbolsWeasel

This soapstone Weasel Figure was made in Canada near

Vancouver BC by a Native Artist.The weasel symbolizes the ability

to pay attention to your inner voice.

The weasel took meatOf a prey

That is twice its size.

WeaselBy Rizard


Weasel and prey

Animals and Northwest SymbolsHummingbird

This hummingbird by made by a Native Artist.

The hummingbird symbolizes beauty and intelligence. It is

considered a spirit messenger.

Hummingbird,Small, colorful,

Bussing, sinking, perching,

Fast and furious flying little beasts,

Hummingbirds.

HumminbirdBy Mariel

This stylized picture was made by a Pacific Northwest Candian Artist from the Haida Tribe

Coyote finds a bird

Animals and Northwest SymbolsGrizzly Bear

This stylized picture of a coyote was made by MLR I artist from the Tlingit Tribe titled; Merlee’s

Moods.The grizzly bear is the subject of many NW Coast legends. He is

thought to possess many human qualities and have great power..

Grizzly bear,Brown fur, sharp teeth,

Epic, amazing, coolSleeps in a cave during

winter.Predator.

My poemBy Koree


Coyote finds a bird

Animals and Northwest SymbolsCoyote

This stylized picture of a coyote was made by Pacific Northwest

Artist .The Coyote symbolizes the ability to recognize your own mistakes and is featured In many native

legends.

Coyote searchesfor a yummy, yummy

mealAnd finds a small bird.

My Coyote HaikuBy Sophia


Raccoon

Animals and Northwest SymbolsRaccoon

This stylized picture of a raccoon was made by Maria Mariatakosand can be found at foxloft.com

There is symbolism of fire as well as five rings on his tail relating to the native story of 'How Raccoon

Got His Stripes”.

Raccoons are epicThe raccoon is walking

awayAt ease on land and in

water,Amphibian.

My Raccoon Haiku

By Emily

This stylized picture was made by an artist from the Haida tribe.

Pacific Norhwest Frog

Animals and Northwest SymbolsFrog

This stylized picture of a frog was made by an artist from the

Haida tribe.The frog is a symbol of spring

and new life.

Frog,Small, Agile

Swimming, playing, Splashing

To his cool burrow.

My frog poemBy Anna

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