Driving Question: Who are the Native Americans?
Section 1: Native American Cultures
Many scientists believe that the first people came to North America between 38,00 and 10,000 BC. Historians think that these people traveled south into Canada, the United States, and Mexico following herds of animals. This migration - a movement of people or animals from one region to another - took place over a long period of time. Over time, different Native American societies, or groups that share a common culture, formed. Culture is a group's set of common values and traditions, including language, government, and family relationships. Several early societies developed in North America long before Europeans explored the continent. In this chapter, you will learn more about these cultures.
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North and Northwest
The far north of North America is divided into the Arctic and Subarctic culture areas. Few plants grow in the Arctic because the ground is always frozen. This harsh environment was home to two groups of people, the Inuit and the Aleut. The Inuit lived in present-day northern Alaska and Canada. Their homes were igloos, hide tents, and huts. The Aleut lived in present day western and southern Alaska. Their homes were multifamily houses that were partially underground. The two groups shared many cultural features, including language. Both groups survived by fishing and hunting large animals. The Aleut and Inuit also depended on dogs for many tasks, such as hunting and pulling sleds.
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South of the Arctic lies the Subarctic, home to groups such as the Dogrib and Montagnais peoples. These people followed the seasonal migrations of deer. Because of this, they lived in shelters made of animal skins, but other times lived in villages of log houses. Farther south, the Kwakiutl and the Chinook did very well on the land because of the large supply of game animals, fish, and wild plants. This allowed the populations to increase without the need for farming. Native Americans in the Pacific Northwest carved images of totems - ancestor or animal spirits - on tall, wooden poles. Totem poles held great religious and historical significance for Native Americans of the Northwest.
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Feasts called potlatches were another unusual aspect of these Native Americans' culture. At these gatherings, the hosts (usually chiefs or wealthy people) gave away most of their belongings as gifts. This would allow the hosts to increase their social importance.
West and South West
Farther south along the Pacific coast was the California region. Food sources were plentiful, so farming was not necessary. One major plant food was acorns, which were ground into flour. People also fished and hunted deer and other game. Most Native Americans in the California region lived in groups of families of about 50 to 300. Within these groups, over 100 languages were spoken.
The area east of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Great Basin, received little rain. To survive, Native Americans adapted to the drier climate by gathering seeds, digging roots, and trapping small animals for food. Most groups in this area spoke the same language.
The Southwest culture region included the present day states of Arizona and New Mexico, and parts of Colorado and Texas. Pueblo groups lived there. These groups also adapted to a dry climate. The |
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Pueblo irrigated the land and grew maize (corn), squash, and beans. These crops were vital to southwestern peoples. The Pueblo religion focused on two key areas of Pueblo life, rain and maize. The Pueblo performed religious rituals hoping to bring rain and a successful maize crop to their peoples.
The Pueblos built multi-story houses out of adobe bricks. Over time, their towns grew larger and larger. Some towns had more than 1,000 residents. Pueblo peoples made fine pottery that featured beautifully painted designs.
The Apache and Navajo also lived in the Southwest. These groups were nomadic - they moved place to place hunting small animals and foraging for food. The Apache and Navajo also supported themselves by raiding the villages of the Pueblo and others.
The Pueblos built multi-story houses out of adobe bricks. Over time, their towns grew larger and larger. Some towns had more than 1,000 residents. Pueblo peoples made fine pottery that featured beautifully painted designs.
The Apache and Navajo also lived in the Southwest. These groups were nomadic - they moved place to place hunting small animals and foraging for food. The Apache and Navajo also supported themselves by raiding the villages of the Pueblo and others.
Great Plains
The huge Great Plains region stretches south from Canada into Texas. This culture area is bordered by the Mississippi Valley on the east and the Rocky Mountains on the west. The Plains were mainly grassland, home to millions of buffalo. Deer, elk, and other game also thrived there.
Most Great Plains people were nomadic hunters. Many groups hunted buffalo using bows and spears. Native Americans used buffalo skins for shields, clothing, and coverings for their teepees -- cone-shaped shelters.
Some Plains groups were farmers. The Mandan and Pawnee settled in villages and grew corn, beans, and squash. The Pawnee lived in round lodges made of dirt.
Most Great Plains people were nomadic hunters. Many groups hunted buffalo using bows and spears. Native Americans used buffalo skins for shields, clothing, and coverings for their teepees -- cone-shaped shelters.
Some Plains groups were farmers. The Mandan and Pawnee settled in villages and grew corn, beans, and squash. The Pawnee lived in round lodges made of dirt.
Northeast and Southeast
Eastern North America was rich in sources for food and shelter. Animals, plant foods, fish, and wood for housing were plentiful in the region's woodlands and river valleys.
Most southeastern groups, including the Cherokee, Creek, and Seminole, lived in farming villages. In the Northeast, groups like the Algonquian survived by hunting and gathering plants. Those in the south farmed, hunted, gathered plants, and fished. Many tribes used strings of beads known as wampum for money.
To the east of the Algonquian lived the Iroquois. They were farmers, hunters, and traders who lived in longhouses. Longhouses were rectangular homes made from logs and bark that housed 8 to 10 families.
The Iroquois created the Iroquois League. The Iroquois League was a group of Indian tribes that worked together as an alliance. They waged war against and made peace with non-Iroquois peoples. Its goal was to strengthen the alliance against invasion. The league helped the Iroquois become one of the most powerful peoples in North America.
Most southeastern groups, including the Cherokee, Creek, and Seminole, lived in farming villages. In the Northeast, groups like the Algonquian survived by hunting and gathering plants. Those in the south farmed, hunted, gathered plants, and fished. Many tribes used strings of beads known as wampum for money.
To the east of the Algonquian lived the Iroquois. They were farmers, hunters, and traders who lived in longhouses. Longhouses were rectangular homes made from logs and bark that housed 8 to 10 families.
The Iroquois created the Iroquois League. The Iroquois League was a group of Indian tribes that worked together as an alliance. They waged war against and made peace with non-Iroquois peoples. Its goal was to strengthen the alliance against invasion. The league helped the Iroquois become one of the most powerful peoples in North America.
Shared Beliefs
Although they were different culturally and geographically, Native American groups of North America shared certain beliefs. The religion of most Native American peoples, for example, was linked to nature. Native Americans believed that spiritual forces were everywhere, living in heavenly bodies and in sacred places on the earth. They also believed that spirits even lived within animals and plants. Native Americans tried to honor the spirits in their daily lives.
Ceremonies helped to keep the group's relationship with Earth and Sky, which were believed to be the beginners of life. In addition, people who wanted help prayed to their spirit protector.
Native Americans also shared beliefs about property. They believed that individual ownership only applied to the crops one grew. The land itself was for the use of everyone in the village, and a person's right to use it was temporary. Native Americans also thought they should preserve the land for future generations. These beliefs were very different from the Europeans - a difference that would cause conflict.
Ceremonies helped to keep the group's relationship with Earth and Sky, which were believed to be the beginners of life. In addition, people who wanted help prayed to their spirit protector.
Native Americans also shared beliefs about property. They believed that individual ownership only applied to the crops one grew. The land itself was for the use of everyone in the village, and a person's right to use it was temporary. Native Americans also thought they should preserve the land for future generations. These beliefs were very different from the Europeans - a difference that would cause conflict.