Local Materials: These makers traditionally use cedar bark, spruce roots, and natural dyes from local plants. Western red cedar, in particular, is sacred and central to their art and daily life—used for everything from canoes to baskets to ceremonial regalia.
Sustainability: Harvesting is done with deep respect for the land and its spirits. For example, bark is stripped in a way that doesn't kill the tree, and materials are gathered seasonally and with ceremony.

Many of their crafts—like basket weaving, wood carving, and textile work—are based on techniques that have been refined over thousands of years.
These aren't just "arts and crafts" in a modern sense—they carry deep ancestral knowledge, and every pattern or method has meaning and tradition behind it.

The designs often tell stories—about the Creator, the sea, the animals (especially Raven and Wolf, key figures in Northwest Native stories), and the relationship between humans and the environment.
Objects like masks, drums, and totemic carvings are used in potlatches and ceremonies that strengthen community bonds and cultural identity.

Despite colonization, forced relocation, and suppression of native languages and traditions, the Hoh and Queets artisans have held on to these practices and are now part of a broader cultural revival.
Younger artists are blending traditional methods with modern aesthetics or materials, and there's a growing movement to teach the next generation in community-run programs and schools.

Whether it's a woven cedar hat or a carved paddle, each item is functional, meaningful, and carries a sense of identity. There's a story embedded in every piece, and they are often made for use in rituals, family life, or as offerings.