A Historical Look at Coastal Native Americans
Published: 09/27/2016  Updated: 08/13/2019
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The Clam Diggers circa 1894
The Clam Diggers circa 1894  The Library of Congress

For generations groups of Northwest Coast Indians living near the ocean supplemented their diet with a variety of clams and oysters.

The numerous bays up and down Oregon's coast are fertile waters for a variety of shellfish. For many Native American Indians living close to shore, shellfish provided a bountiful food staple. Compared to other Native Americans, Northwest Coast Indians were considered rich because they had an abundance of food. Shown are two elderly Indian women with a small cluster of clams. The poles and sacks were used to dig and gather the clams.
A Historical Look at Coastal Native Americans
Published: 09/27/2016  Updated: 08/13/2019
Share
The Clam Diggers circa 1894
The Clam Diggers circa 1894  The Library of Congress

For generations groups of Northwest Coast Indians living near the ocean supplemented their diet with a variety of clams and oysters.

The numerous bays up and down Oregon's coast are fertile waters for a variety of shellfish. For many Native American Indians living close to shore, shellfish provided a bountiful food staple. Compared to other Native Americans, Northwest Coast Indians were considered rich because they had an abundance of food. Shown are two elderly Indian women with a small cluster of clams. The poles and sacks were used to dig and gather the clams.
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