"The Pacific Northwest is home to Big Foot or Sasquatch as we call him. According to the indigenous peoples (Halkomelem & Coast Salish) he was powerful but benign. Some tribes believed he was able to turn himself into a tree which was why he couldn't be found. ... There is even a Sasquatch Provincial Park in BC."
The wonderful illustration is by Francis Horne Sr. and is specifically described as "Coast Salish Sasquatch." For many Coast Salish peoples, Sasquatch is not merely a “cryptid” or a punchline, but a being with deep cultural and spiritual significance. In a 2025 article titled "Beings of the Forest," Jon Anderson writes: "The Suquamish people have long understood that the forest holds mysteries, and it's important to respect then. For generations, stories of Sasquatch and other spirits have taught young people to be mindful of their actions, especially when they are in the woods."
Here are some other thoughtful articles about the Coast Salish language and culture:
- Coast Salish wool weaving, once nearly lost, enjoys a renaissance
- ‘Witnessing our ancestors’ wildest dreams’: Tla’amin children immerse themselves in ʔayʔaǰuθəm
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