Description
Steelhead Trout: Salmo gairdnerii gairdnerii
These fish spawn in fresh water in both winter and spring, but unlike other species, doesn’t die after spawning. Instead, Steelhead will return to the ocean repeating this process a few times. Their first year or two is spent in fresh water before going to sea. Not all venture to sea, and those spending their entire lives in freshwater are called Rainbow Trout. Ranging from Alaska to California, their appetites are large including herring and other small fishes. The bright colors of these fish come during spawning season, reflecting the colorful peoples whom welcomed these fish as a main food and spiritual source. The peoples depicted in these fish are:
Kwakiutl
This indigenous tribe lives on Northern Vancouver Island and on the coast of British Columbia, Canada, next to the Bella Coola Tribes. The Kwakiutl were the most imaginative with their art and ceremonies. As shown, the totem carvers followed their own “rules”, not always containing their design within the pole. Wings, appendages, and designs, often stuck out. Indoor supporting posts were also carved and added to the mystery of winter dancing ceremonies. Secret societies within the tribe, performed secret dances using elaborate headdresses, which opened and closed. The chief pictured in his button blanket and the headdresses further down in the fish are still used in ceremonies today. This tribe loved color and soon adopted the Europeans commercial paints to extend their range.
