Of Homes and Culture

The indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest did not build any large-scale structures like pyramids and temples, but they did have a tradition of building some very unique structures called longhouses. Traditionally, the longhouses were single storey dwellings built of western red cedar. The design varied depending on the cultural group, but usually the longhouse was designed with a shed roof, horizontal planks, and supporting poles. Totems or crests were placed there- the longhouses usually belonged to a single extended family. Various activities took place inside that included community gatherings, storage of goods & materials, food procurement, canoe building, and other daily tasks.

The following images are from the Tl'aktaxen Lam longhouse in Whistler, BC. It is not an ancient house- given that usually these types of dwelling lasted only 10 years- but was instead built using modern architectural designs and methods.

Right beside the longhouse is another type of dwelling called a pit house. A pit house was smaller and was mainly, though not exclusively, used as a winter residence. The structure was built into the ground and accessible from the top by a notched ladder. The hole along the top also allowed smoke from fires to blow out. In winter, these dwellings retained heat very well, and in the warmer seasons they were cool.

Although longhouses and pit houses are no longer prominent like in the past, they hold great cultural significance for the indigenous inhabitants of the area.

Resources

Longhouses of the Indigenous peoples of North America: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longhouses_of_the_Indigenous_peoples_of_North_America

First Nations Longhouse: https://www.naturallywood.com/project/first-nations-longhouse/

The Indigenous Roots of the Solace Longhouse: https://www.firstpacwest.com/the-indigenous-roots-of-the-solace-longhouse/

Traditional Coast Salish Plank Houses: https://www.vancouverheritagefoundation.org/house-styles/traditional-coast-salish-plank-houses/