The Coos People
Posted on: November 23rd, 2020 in Historical Marker Details |
Life comes from the land and water
Here stood the Hanis Coos village of Qaimisiich. Along with their neighbors, the Miluk Coos, the Hanis Coos lived along Coos Bay, south to the Coquille River, and east to the Coast Range.
Very Resourceful
Experts in a sustainable life, the Coos people hunted, fished, and gathered here for many centuries. They traded with other tribes to obtain goods they could not find locally, such as schist for adze blades. Work was balanced with diversions such as foot races, canoe races, and dice games.
Woven Together
Baskets were important in Coos technology, woven of cedar bark and a variety of grasses, reeds, and roots. Pack baskets carried firewood and mussels; storage baskets held clothes or dried food. Tightly woven baskets were used to boil food and to carry water, while basket traps caught fish and crayfish.
The Coos people today strive to perpetuate their unique identity as Indians and as members of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians.
Useful Materials
The Coos people gathered a huge variety of local materials for tools, transportation, and other needs.
red cedar: plank houses and canoes
ash and maple: canoe paddles
hazel: poles for poling canoes
sinew: sewing thread, fine cordage, and bow backing
obsidian and flint: arrowheads
red elderberry and ocean spray: arrow shafts and tips
mussel shells: spoons and knives
schist: adze blades
elk antlers: digging stick handles, wedges, and spoons
red cedar inner bark: baskets and clothing
maple bark: baskets and skirts
Douglas-fir: fish spear shafts
Caption 1:
A nauhin was used in a game called nauhina’nawos, similar to today’s field hockey
(This maker is in a wayside with the Hollering Place, Shifting Sands and Explore More markers)