What did the north west coast eat?

Salmon was the most important food source for the people of the Northwest Coast, and they developed various techniques to catch it, including weir fishing, hook-and-line fishing, and spearfishing.

Shellfish:

Shellfish, such as clams, mussels, and oysters, were also abundant and were gathered by diving, digging in the sand, and using rakes.

Berries:

Berries, such as salmonberries, blueberries, and huckleberries, were gathered in the summer months and were eaten fresh or dried for storage.

Deer and Elk:

Deer and elk were hunted for their meat, and their hides were used for clothing and shelter.

Seal and Sea Lion:

Seal and sea lion were hunted for their meat and fat, which was used for food and fuel.

Whales:

Whales were also hunted, but this was a dangerous activity and was only done by skilled hunters.

Eulachon:

Eulachon is a small, oily fish that was highly valued for its oil. The oil was extracted by boiling the fish and was used for food, fuel, and medicine.

Halibut:

Halibut is a large, flatfish that was caught by hook-and-line fishing. It was considered a delicacy and was often dried or smoked for storage.

Oolachen:

Oolachen are small, oily fish that were caught in vast numbers during their annual spawning runs. They were eaten fresh, dried, or smoked, and their oil was used as a condiment.

Roots:

Various roots, such as camas and fern roots, were gathered and used as food. Camas roots were especially important and were often dried and stored for winter use.