The first three major eras of the Pacific Northwest show some remarkable changes. What begins with the first people rapidly becomes a barrage of settlers, development and the harvesting of resources. Each period of time in the PNW brings changes in the people, the geography, and the culture. First is the Era of the First People. Scientific theories suggest that man first came to the PNW via land bridges from Russia or perhaps waterways. Some legends suggest a similar nomadic journey following the migrating animals or the work of spirits or Gods who created companions for a lonely human; usually a mother figure.
However they came to be, the First People, while split into different geographical and cultural groups, had many things in common. These groups: the Costal, Plateau, and Basin Indians, all used the resources of the PNW to their advantage. For the most part, all depended on hunting and gathering for food and resources. The Basin Indians, with more limited resources, did have to forage for food and resources at times. Salmon was favored heavily for both a food source and in various ceremonies. Each group had domesticated animals: horses, dogs, or sheep. The changes in this era are more focused on the growth of cultures and of population; establishing societies. The Coast Indians were separated geographically from other native peoples. They had their own local forms of society and government involving a very class conscious social structure. Wars or feuds among tribes were not uncommon. The Plateau Indians lived in small settlements along major tributaries and streams. They came together for trading purposes, harvest, or to defeat a common foe. Not hindered by geography, the Plateau Indians traveled more extensively than the Coast Indian. Spending most of their time seeking food and water, the Basin Indians had little in the