People of the Plateauand

the Inter-Mountain Region

Intermountain Region

• The Inter-Mountain Region (Okanagan/ kootney / caribou region)

• Streams, rivers, • Valleys & mountains & plateaus

• Varied climate by elevation: Cool and wet, or hot and dry

• Low precipitation

• Sparse grasslands, semi desert in parts, thin pine in high areas

• Rain-shadow: no rain on leeward side of mountain (rains on windward side)

What region do the people of the plateau live?What is the Topography?

What is the climate?

What is the Vegetation?

What is a rain-shadow?

• Live in Pit houses

• Built near water, in soft soil, 3 meters deep, with rafters to support roof, and bark/ earth/ sod roof

• 6-8 m across (average)• Hole in center of roof for smoke ventilation

(hearth under hole)and entrance• Had notched log as ladder • Hole could be closed for protection• Platforms around inner walls – beds/

seating• Excellent protection from winter cold

• Live in tents in summer

Pit house

• Live in pit house for few years – then needs replacing

• Eat Salmon from rivers • Eat plants: berries, bulbs, roots and

onions

• Preserve food for winter (smoke fish, dried berries, roasted veggies)

• Hunt animals, including deer• Use snares, fences, bow and arrow,

dogs

• Clothing: deer hide, moccasins• Low status may have shoes of

salmon skin

• Travel by canoe in rivers

• Culture: Trade shells and Soapstone

• Learn Sun Dance from plains people

Questions and summary1. Add the questions in the left-hand

column

2. Summary Paragraph:How did the physical environment of

the intermountain region influence the culture of the people of the

Plateau?

Example SummaryThe culture of the people of the plateau was greatly influenced by the geography of the Inter-mountain region in which they lived. The plateau people ate salmon and berries from the surrounding environment, and used various methods to preserve perishable foods for the long winters. They built pit houses to live in, using the ground to protect them from both the hot and cold, with a roof entrance that could be closed to keep out the many animals in the region. They developed the bow and arrow to hunt deer and dressed in deer skin, as that animal was abundant. The region in which they lived has a large influence on their way of life.