西北海岸印第安人,任何成员的北美印第安人居住在一个狭窄的但是带丰富的沿海地区,从阿拉斯加东南西北加州离岸岛屿。西北海岸的一个信号特征的社会是强调每个人的世袭社会地位。本地组内一个人的地位取决于他的系谱亲密传说中的祖先。对食物的地区人民的主要取决于五种鲑鱼;鲱鱼;盛产石油的“蜡烛鱼”,或eulachon;熔炼;鳕鱼;比目鱼;软体动物; and whales—all of which were abundant. Water transport was highly important, and all groups made efficient dugout canoes. Northwest Coast woodworking was facilitated by the natural abundance of easily worked timbers, especially red cedar and redwood; Northwest Coast artists are known for their superb sculptures, masks, and totem poles. Groups of the Northwest Coast include, from north to south, Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, northern Kwakiutl (Heiltsuq), Bella Coola, southern Kwakiutl, Nuu-chah-nulth (formerly Nootka), Coast Salish, Chinook, and a number of smaller groups.