Contrasting the Economy of the Apache and Chinook Tribes
by Rit NosotroComparative Essay
Contrast the ecomomic differences between the Apache and Chinook Tribes. How did religion affect trade and development?
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Thesis:
Although the Apache and Chinook Tribes had similar pantheistic religions, worshiped
nature, and they both were hunter-gathers their economies had distinguishing characteristics.
Summary:
The pantheistic religions of these two tribes affected their economies. As a direct
result of them believing that everything contained a spirit they did not want
to own their own land, which lead to a collapse of their economy. When the whites
began to enter their area they unfairly claimed the land for themselves.
The ancient Apache and Chinook tribes are similar in several ways. They both
had similar pantheistic religions, they both respected and worshiped nature,
and they both were hunter-gathers. They were very strong tribes and have lasted
for several hundred years. As one can guess, they also have very distinguishing
characteristics, one of them being their economy.
The Apache tribe is a nomadic hunter-gatherer native tribe. They originally
came from Canada and worked their way down threw the Rockies and are currently
dispersed in mostly, California, New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. One reason
for the Apaches’ nomadic behavior was because the Comanche, another native
tribe, pushed them further south, out of the buffalo hunting lands. Due to their
nomadic tendencies they created grass huts named Kowa.While the Apache tribe
was traveling south, the land belonged to no one. Although they were manly hunter-
gathers they did trade various things. For example, they would trade shells
and other natural goods; however, the trade was limited.
The Chinook tribe, on the other hand, was mostly based in Oregon and Washington.
They were not a very nomadic tribe. Instead of grass houses they created long
houses in which they could fit up to one hundred people. For the most part they
were hunter-gathers. However, the Chinook tribe paid special attention to trading.
They traded salmon, slaves, and shells between tribes. Trade was part of the
reason why this tribe thrived. Another large reason why this tribe thrived was
because they lived near the Wy-am area on the Columbia River, this was one of
the most prominent fishing places. The land was not owned by individuals, they
believed that there was a spirit in everything and considered land to be sacred,
so they shared it.
The Chinook prospered above the Apache for several reasons, the main ones being:
stability, location, and trade. The Apache Natives, as previously mentioned,
were mobile, they would go from place to place to find food or because they
were kicked out of one area. The Chinook on the other hand rarely moved around
and had solid houses. This stability could benefit their economy because it
wasn’t constantly changing, it was steady. The people weren’t starving
one day and flourishing another. The location is was another benefit the Chinook
had on their side. They found a good river overflowing with fish and the land
was abundant with livestock. The location also provided good trading posts.
The Chinook tribe stayed strong because they were always near each other and
not spread apart in seven locations like the Apache natives. Lastly, they traded
with several tribes and trade flourished because of all the unique things the
Chinook had to offer. Their stability played part in the trade because the other
tribes trusted them and were more willing to trade with a tribe they knew where
to find.
The pantheistic religions of these two tribes affected the economy. As a direct
result of them believing that everything contained a spirit they did not want
to own their own land, which lead to the greatest fall in their economy. When
the whites began to enter their area they claimed the land for them selves and
didn’t consider the natives. The natives were being fair, but in turn
the whites stole the land. The Apache and Chinook tribes are similar in many
things like their basic outlook towards nature. Both of these two tribes are/were
very strong but the Chinook economy was stronger than the Apache economy because
they had better stability, location, and trade.
Commentary:
The main problem is that sometimes when people see how beautiful, amazing, and
providing the creation is they begin to worship it. They think that it is so
wonderful it must have a spirit or be of some sort of higher power. Then they
forget who made these wonderful creations. In one sense their view of creation
made them appreciate the land and its animals and get maximum benefit from it.
For example, they used every part of the buffalo and wasted nothing. However,
on the other hand the natives lost sight of what was truly important and they
lost their land. As it says in the bible “A good tree cannot bring forth
evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.” (KJV,
Mathew 7:18) In other words, because the natives worship towards nature was
wrong, nothing good could come out of it.
QuickQuiz
What was the main similarity between the two tribes?
a) religion
b) location
c) movement
What three factors greatly impacted the native economy?
a) Stability, location and trade
b) Location, trade, and clothes
c) Trade, beads, and art
What did the tribes worship?
a) Jesus
b) Creation
c) Stability
Which tribes’ economy had higher potential?
a) Comanche
b) Apache
c) Chinook
Works Cited
1. "Native People: Apache Tribe." National Park Service. 1 Apr 2007
<http://www.nps.gov/archive/tuma/Site_Map.html>.
2. Doak , Michael. "Native American Spirituality." 12/28/01. University
of Virginia. 3 Apr 2007 <http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/naspirit.html>.
3. "Economic Effects from Columbia River Basin Anadromous Salmonid Fish
Production." December 2005. Independent Economic Analysis Board. 3 Apr
2007 <http://www.nwcouncil.org/library/ieab/ieab2005-1.pdf>.
4. Hedlund, Andrew. "Chinook." Minnesota State University Mankato.
3 Apr 2007 <http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/northamerica/chinook.html>.
5. Mayer , Eric. "Apache." 3 Apr 2007 <http://emayzine.com/lectures/APACHE.html>.
6. Pelletier, Mark. "Culture Chronicles." 3 Apr 2007 <http://www.nrn.net/culture_chronicles.htm>.
7. Allen, Cain. "Chinook Indians Seining." 2006. Oregon Historical
Society. 3 Apr 2007 <http://www.ohs.org/education/oregonhistory/historical_records/dspDocument.cfm?doc_ID=DC1B641A-C798-7161-16F21DE90C455AD6>.
8. "Western Apache." 2007. Countries and Their Cultures . 3 Apr 2007
<http://www.everyculture.com/North-America/Western-Apache-Economy.html>.
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