Fromthegiantcedaroftherainforestcameawealthofrawmaterialsvitaltothewayoflife,artandcultureoftheearlyFirstNationspeopleoftheNorthwestCoast.Allpartsofthecedartreehadmanyuses.Fromthewood,skilledmenmadeocean-goingcanoes,massivepost-and-beamhouses,monumentalcarvedpolesthatdeclaredhistory,rightsandlineage,andpowerfuldancemasks.Womendextrouslywovetheinnerbarkintomatsandbaskets,plieditintoocordageandnettingorprocesseditintosoft,warn,water-repellentclothing.Theyalsomadethestrongwithesintoheavy-dutyropeandwovetherootsintowatertightbaskets.HilaryStewartexplains,throughhervividdescriptions,550detaileddrawingsand50photographs,thetoolsandtechniquesused,aswellasthesuperblycraftedobjectsandtheiruses--allinthecontextofdailyandceremoniallife.Anecdotes,oralhistoryandtheaccountsofearlyexplorers,traders,missionariesandnativeeldershighlightthetext.
