Makah << muh KAW >> are a native people of the Pacific Northwest in the northwest of the state of Washington. They are closely related to the Nootka, who live along the coast of Vancouver Island in the Canadian province of British Columbia (see Nootka ). The term Makah means generous ones in the language of neighboring groups. Many Makah people live on a reservation, land that is reserved for them through treaty. The Makah Nation reservation has its own tribal government, laws, police, and other public services.
In the past, Makah people lived in several large villages along the Pacific coast and farther inland. They used cedar planks to build flat-roofed long houses up to 60 feet (18 meters) in length. Each cedar-plank house held several extended families. The Makah hunted and fished and collected berries and roots from wild plants. Resources from the sea were especially important. The Makah got most of their food by fishing for salmon and halibut and hunting seals. Hunting whales from large open canoes had a central role in Makah culture. Makah canoes used sails and paddles to navigate the open ocean.
