The Plateau Indians had a semi-nomadic lifestyle while the Northwest Coast Indians had a sedentary lifestyle. Which was a benefit of having a sedentary lifestyle?

One significant benefit of a sedentary lifestyle, as seen among the Northwest Coast Indians was the ability to establish more permanent settlements and develop complex societies. Some advantages included:

1. Stability and Security: Sedentary lifestyles allowed for the establishment of permanent villages or towns, providing stability and security. Families could build more substantial and permanent homes, creating a sense of rootedness and community.
2. Social and Cultural Development: The stability of sedentary life facilitated the development of complex social structures, hierarchies and specialized roles within the community. This often led to the flourishing of art, craftsmanship, traditions, and cultural practices.
3. Agriculture and Resource Management: Sedentary communities could engage in agriculture, cultivating crops and managing resources more effectively. This allowed for surplus food production, enabling the support of larger populations and the development of trade networks.
4. Infrastructure and Technology: Sedentary societies were more inclined to invest in infrastructure such as permanent housing, storage facilities and other structures. They could also develop more advanced tools and technologies due to the stability and continuity of their settlements.

While both lifestyles had their strengths and adaptations based on their environments, the sedentary lifestyle, especially among the Northwest Coast Indians, fostered more permanent settlements that allowed for the development of advanced social structures, cultural advancements, and more stable resource management systems.