Clans & Marriage Pacific Northwest Native Americans in Olden Times     Clans: All Northwest Coastal Indians are divided up into two or more clans. You could not marry someone from your clan. The Haida only had two clans. Everyone was either born a Raven or an Eagle. When a baby was born, it belonged to the mother's clan. Marriage: When a man wanted to marry a women, he had to pay her father a agreed amount prior to the ceremony. The wife was given in partial payment for this amount.  When their first child was born, the child became a member of the mother's clan. The clan had to pay the husband a sum equal to the marriage contract as for the child. This annulled the marriage. At that point, a woman could stay or leave her husband as she chose. Northwest Indians Government Daily Life Free Presentations in PowerPoint format  Free Clip Art Return to the Northwest Indians Index   or the Native American Index  All Rights Reserved    Clip Art Credit: Phillip Martin Have a great year!