The Chinook people were living inside plank houses which were also called as “Big Houses”. In Chinook Tribe History, these shelters were constructed from the wood of the red cedar trees. This is because these kinds of trees are so abundant in the place.

Where Chinook Indian Live

Slabs were usually split by them and through the years, they became experts at doing this. These slabs were coming from the red cedar trees which were straight-grained. The houses vary in sizes because it also depends on the ideal house size that the family wanted to live in. If they have a lot of resources, then they can build a larger shelter. If it goes the other way around, then most probably, a small house will do for them.

These ranges from 20 to 60 feet wide, and even 50 to 150 long. This shows that the shelter size preference really is not uniform throughout the entire Chinook tribe because it all just matters to them.

Plank Houses

Their houses which were also called as plank houses were built on pits. These pits are 1 to 3 feet deep. This has the same size as that of their dwelling place. This is done in order for them to be insulated from the cold especially during the winter months. Living below the ground keeps them warm and safe from the animals such as grizzly bears, coyotes, and even wolves.

Metal nails were not used because they have no access to this resource. What they use instead are wooden pegs because they get these from the cedar trees or any kind of tree that is near their place. The wooden pegs have the same strength and durability with that of the metal nails.

Overlapping the wooden planks is also what they did in order for them to keep the leaking rain out of their shelter.

Windows are also not present inside Chinook houses because this was unconventional for them. They gave importance to their privacy and they wanted to keep the things inside the house for themselves and for their family and extended family. In order to let insulation flow, they have roof slots that enable fresh air to go in and lets the smoke from the cooking fires to go out.

In Chinook Tribe History, these plank houses are partitioned lodges where the interior of it has its own communal space. It also has its own sleeping and storage space that was taken from the wooden dividers and the animal skins that they took from the hunted animals.

Chinook Tribe History

It also features a Portal or Entryway Totem Pole. This was the entrance of the house and they have this in order to keep the evil spirits out. They believe that Totem Poles have the power to sort out and filter the negative energies and spirits that may wreak havoc on the peace of the house.

These Totem Poles that are found at the entrance of the Chinook houses shows the owner and the family of the house. It is also a symbol of their pride.

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