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Masks were an important part in many Native American Cultures . They were used in hunting, healing, and other rituals . Masks were commonly carved from wood. Other materials used in the creating of these masks included pigments, clay, bark, fur and hair, tortoi ....

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.... live far away in the summer, but come to visit in the winter . Sometimes it was said, that these spirits sometimes captured a man or a women, and brought them great power . These people were often members of secret societies . Throughout rituals, there were two additional types of dancers . they were called the Fools, and the Grizzly Bears . The Fools and the Grizzly Bears acted as sort of the police at these events, and were there to make sure everyone in the audience behaved. One of the most dramatic Northwestern performances was the Ghost Dance . This was a reenactment of a visit to the land of the dead . Few Northwest traditions are s ....