Note
Native American tribes on the Pacific Coast primarily relied on salmon and berries as staple foods, supplemented by other resources from the land and sea.
For Native American tribes along the Pacific Coast, such as the Chinook, Haida, and Nisqually, salmon was a central food source, especially during migration seasons when large quantities of fish could be caught. These tribes developed sophisticated fishing methods like nets and weirs to capture the salmon. Berries, including huckleberries, salmonberries, and elderberries, were also important seasonal foods, often gathered and preserved for winter. The rich coastal environment provided a diverse array of foods, including shellfish, seaweed, and land plants, forming the basis of the tribes' diets and cultural practices.