You are about to go on a learning adventure and learn many new things about the Powhatan Indians of Virginia. Before you begin, however, here are a few pointers.  Look for this. The blinking red light will take you to a page to learn more about the Powhatans.  Look for this. It will tell you when to go to the next page.  If you get lost and don’t know what to do, click on one of these buttons.

Before there was this, this, or this…

There was this, and this.

Long ago Poquoson was not a city. There were no streets, stores, or homes. This land was used for hunting by Native Americans. In fact, Poquoson is an old Indian word meaning “ great marsh”.

Poquoson Powhatan tribes lived close to Poquoson. In this lesson, you’ll learn about the way they lived. Later, you’ll use this information to compare the Powhatan tribes to tribes in other parts of our country.

The Powhatans used the natural resources in this area to get what they needed to live. You will learn how they used the resources for homes, food, clothes, transportation, and tools and weapons. Click on the buttons to learn more about how they used these resources. 213

The forest provided wood for homes and fires. It also provided wildlife for food and materials for making clothing and tools. The Powhatans used the natural resources in this area to get what they needed to live. You will learn how they used the resources for homes, food, clothes, transportation, and tools and weapons. Click on the buttons to learn more about how they used these resources. 132

The rivers provided seafood which was a major source of food. The Powhatans used the natural resources in this area to get what they needed to live. You will learn how they used the resources for homes, food, clothes, transportation, and tools and weapons. Click on the buttons to learn more about how they used these resources. 132

Marsh reeds provided the material to make homes and arrows. The Powhatans used the natural resources in this area to get what they needed to live. You will learn how they used the resources for homes, food, clothes, transportation, and tools and weapons. Click on the buttons to learn more about how they used these resources. 132

You will learn about Powhatan homes and how they were built.

The Powhatans lived in homes called yehakins. Say the word, yehakin. Point to each part of the word as you say it. yehakin Where did the Powhatans live?

The Powhatans lived in homes called yehakins. Say the word, yehakin. Point to each part of the word as you say it. yehakin Where did the Powhatans live?

The Powhatans lived in homes called yehakins. Say the word, yehakin. Point to each part of the word as you say it. yehakin Where did the Powhatans live?

The Powhatans lived in homes called yehakins. Say the word, yehakin. Point to each part of the word as you say it. yehakin Where did the Powhatans live?

The Powhatans lived in homes called yehakins. Say the word, yehakin. Point to each part of the word as you say it. yehakin Where did the Powhatans live?

The Powhatans lived in homes called yehakins. Say the word, yehakin. Point to each part of the word as you say it. yehakin Where did the Powhatans live?

The Powhatans lived in homes called yehakins. Say the word, yehakin. Point to each part of the word as you say it. yehakin Where did the Powhatans live?

The Yehakin Yehakins could be round or long. Click on the numbered buttons to learn more about yehakins. 21

saplings marsh reeds Yehakins were made of marsh reeds and young trees called saplings Click the blinking light to see a drawing of a yehakin being built. 21 Materials For Building

Building A Yehakin First, the saplings were bent and tied in place. Next, the saplings were covered with mats made from marsh reeds. Used with permission of Tara Pringle/Nativetech.org

Inside A Yehakin 21 Food and supplies were kept on shelves or hung on the walls. Beds were built next to the walls. Animal skins were used for covers.

Let’s Review Look at the pictures. Click on the one that shows a Powhatan home.

Click here.

Click on the name of this home. teepee igloo yehakin

You will learn about what the Powhatans ate and where they got it. Or, you may return to this section. Homes

Where did the Powhatans get food? These were the three main sources of food. Click on a numbered button to learn about the foods that came from gardens, rivers, and woodlands. Gardens Woodlands Rivers 213

The Three Sisters Three major crops that were grown by the Powhatans were beans, corn, and squash. They were called “The Three Sisters”. Squash Corn Beans Click on the blinking button to see how a garden might have looked. 213

Tending The Garden The Three Sisters were planted together because they helped each other. The corn acted as beanpoles for the beans. The squash kept the ground covered so the soil would stay moist. Used with permission of Tara Pringle/Nativetech.org

Seafood This picture was drawn over four hundred years ago. It shows members of a Powhatan tribe catching seafood. Point to a colored button to see some of the seafoods that they might have caught. 213

Seafood These are oysters. They grew close to the shore on rocks or other shells. 213

Seafood The Powhatans caught many different kinds of fish. Some of them are the same ones we eat today. They also used fish as fertilizer to help their crops grow. 213

Seafood This is a blue crab. They were caught in the grassy bottom of the river or bay. The Chesapeake Bay gets it name from an Algonquin word that means “great shellfish bay”

Wildlife Virginia wildlife was very important to the Powhatans. They hunted for the same kind of animals that live in Virginia today. However, they ate some animals that we would not eat today. 213

Let’s Review The Powhatans grew three very important crops to eat. Can you find them? Click on the picture to see if you are right. carrots tomatoessquash beans corn Find 3

Let’s Review The Powhatans grew three very important crops to eat. Can you find them? Click on the picture to see if you are right. carrots tomatoessquash beans corn Right! Find 3

Let’s Review The Powhatans grew three very important crops to eat. Can you find them? Click on the picture to see if you are right. carrots tomatoessquash beans corn Right! Find 3

Let’s Review The Powhatans grew three very important crops to eat. Can you find them? Click on the picture to see if you are right. carrots tomatoessquash beans corn Right! Find 3

Let’s Review The Powhatans grew three very important crops to eat. Can you find them? Click on the picture to see if you are right. carrots tomatoessquash beans corn Try again! Find 3

Let’s Review The Powhatans grew three very important crops to eat. Can you find them? Click on the picture to see if you are right. carrots tomatoessquash beans corn Try again! Find 3

Let’s Review Squash, corn and beans had a special name. Click on that name below. Three Crops Three Brothers Three Sisters

Let’s Review Look at the pictures. Click on the ones that show something the Powhatan tribes might have eaten. fish llama deeroyster crabraccoonbuffaloskunk Find 6

Oops! Try again.

You will learn about the clothing the Powhatans wore in the summer and winter. HomesFood Or, you may return to one of these sections.

What did the Powhatans wear? The Powhatans made their clothing from animal skins. The skins were dried and stretched on a frame. 1 Click on a button to learn more. 2

Warm Weather Dress Men, women and children dressed alike. Point to an arrow to learn more. 12

Warm Weather Dress 1 No one wore a shirt. Sometimes the men wore necklaces of shells or beads. 2

Warm Weather Dress 1 They wore aprons made from deer skin. 2

Warm Weather Dress 1 They did not wear shoes in warm weather. 2

Winter Dress Deer skin capes kept them warm in the winter. Point to an arrow to learn more. 12

Winter Dress 1 They also put animal fat on their skin to keep warm. 2

Winter Dress 1 They wore leather moccasins in the winter. 2

Let’s Review Click on the picture that shows how a Powhatan would have dressed in warm weather.

Let’s Review Click on the picture that shows how a Powhatan would have dressed in cold weather.

HomesFood Or, you may return to one of these sections. You will learn about the tools and weapons used by the Powhatans for hunting and daily living. Clothing

What did the Powhatans use for tools and weapons? The Powhatans’ tools and weapons were made from plants, trees and rocks that were found in the area or they were made from the shells and bones of the food that they ate. Click on a button to learn about these tools

Bows and arrows were very important because they were used for hunting and protection. Point to a colored dot to learn how arrows were made. Bows and Arrows

Feather were attached to large marsh reeds. This was the hardest part of making an arrow because the feathers had to be placed perfectly for the arrows to fly straight. 2 3

An arrowhead was made from chipping a flat rock called flint. Then, the arrowhead was attached to a short piece of marsh reed. Bows and Arrows Click the blinking light to see a video clip of an arrowhead being made. 1 3

The short reed was then shoved into the end of the large reed with the feathers. If a wounded animal ran away, the part of the arrow with the feathers would fall and could be reused. Bows and Arrows 1 2

These are knives. Like arrowheads, they were made from chipping away at flint or cherd. Knives Click the blinking light to see a drawing of stone tools being made

Knives Boys and men made the stone tools. They chipped the flint or cherd by hitting it with other rocks or pieces of deer bone. Used with permission of Tara Pringle/Nativetech.org

Scraper An oyster shell was an important and convenient tool. It was used as a scraper for animal skins to prepare them for clothing and for scraping a burnt out log to make a canoe

Needles Needles were made from bones of various animals. They were used to make clothes from animal skins. Click the blinking light to see a video clip of a needle being made

A mortar and pestle was used to grind corn. Mortar and Pestle Mortar Pestle Click the blinking light to learn more

The mortar was made from a hollowed out log. Mortar and Pestle Hard corn was placed in the mortar and ground with the pestle into cornmeal or grits. Used with permission of Tara Pringle/Nativetech.org

Let’s Review Click on the pictures that show tools that the Powhatans would have used. Find 5

Let’s Review Click on the pictures that show tools that the Powhatans would have used. Right! Find 5

Let’s Review Click on the pictures that show tools that the Powhatans would have used. Right! Find 5

Let’s Review Click on the pictures that show tools that the Powhatans would have used. Right! Find 5

Let’s Review Click on the pictures that show tools that the Powhatans would have used. Right! Find 5

Let’s Review Click on the pictures that show tools that the Powhatans would have used. Right! Find 5

Let’s Review Click on the pictures that show tools that the Powhatans would have used. Try again! Find 5

Let’s Review Click on the pictures that show tools that the Powhatans would have used. Try again! Find 5

Let’s Review Click on the pictures that show tools that the Powhatans would have used. Try again! Find 5

Let’s Review Read the riddle. Click on the correct answer. sword arrowhead knife I am made of stone. I am used for cutting. What am I?

Let’s Review knife

Let’s Review Read the riddle. Click on the correct answer. mortar and pestle chopping block club I am used for grinding corn into cornmeal. What am I?

Let’s Review Look at the picture. Click on its correct name. mortar and pestle

Let’s Review Read the riddle. Click on the correct answer. scraper needle scissors I am made of bone. I am used for making clothes. What am I?

Let’s Review Look at the picture. Click on its correct name. needle

Let’s Review Read the riddle. Click on the correct answer. knife bow and arrow rifle I am used for hunting and protection. What am I?

Let’s Review Look at the picture. Click on its correct name. bow and arrow

Let’s Review Read the riddle. Click on the correct answer. knife saw oyster shell I am used for scraping skins and wood. What am I?

Let’s Review Look at the picture. Click on its correct name. oyster shell

HomesFood Or, you may return to one of these sections. Clothing You will learn about how the Powhatans traveled around this area. Tools & Weapons

Because the land was flat and had many rivers and streams, the Powhatans walked and used log canoes to get from place to place. How did the Powhatans get around? Rivers, Creek, Streams Flat Land Click on a button to learn more. 21

Walking Except to hunt, the Powhatans did not have to go too far from their village so walking was the best way for them to get around. The woman in this picture is wearing moccasins but most often they walked barefooted. 21

Log Canoe The log canoe was very valuable to the Powhatans tribes. It allowed them to travel great distances for hunting and finishing. Click the blinking light to see a drawing of a canoe being built. 21

Log Canoe Click on a number to learn the steps of building a canoe. 21

Log Canoe Click on a number to learn the steps of building a canoe. First, a large tree was chopped down and cut to the length needed. 21

Log Canoe Click on a number to learn the steps of building a canoe. A fire was built on the log and oyster shell scrapers were used to hollow it out. 21

Log Canoe The finished canoe was used for fishing and transportation. Both men and women were experts at using them. 21

Let’s Review Look at the pictures. Click on the two that show the kind of transportation that the Powhatans used. Find 2

Let’s Review Look at the pictures. Click on the two that show the kind of transportation that the Powhatans used. Way to go! Find 2

Let’s Review Look at the pictures. Click on the two that show the kind of transportation that the Powhatans used. Way to go! Find 2

Let’s Review Look at the pictures. Click on the two that show the kind of transportation that the Powhatans used. Find 2

Let’s Review Look at the pictures. Click on the two that show the kind of transportation that the Powhatans used. Find 2

Let’s Review Look at the pictures. Click on the two that show the kind of transportation that the Powhatans used. Find 2

Let’s Review These are the two kinds of transportation used by the Powhatans. Can you choose a name for them? birch canoe log canoe sailboat walking running jogging

Let’s Review These are the two kinds of transportation used by the Powhatans. Can you choose a name for them? walking running jogging log canoe

Let’s Review These are the two kinds of transportation used by the Powhatans. Can you choose a name for them? birch canoe log canoe sailboat walking running jogging

Let’s Review These are the two kinds of transportation used by the Powhatans. Can you choose a name for them? birch canoe log canoe sailboat walking running jogging

Let’s Review These are the two kinds of transportation used by the Powhatans. Can you choose a name for them? birch canoe log canoe sailboat walking

Let’s Review These are the two kinds of transportation used by the Powhatans. Can you choose a name for them? birch canoe log canoe sailboat walking running jogging

Let’s Review These are the two kinds of transportation used by the Powhatans. Can you choose a name for them? birch canoe log canoe sailboat walking running jogging

go to the next page for more learning fun. You have reached the end of the Powhatan program. You may go back to one of these sections. HomesFoodClothingTools & Weapons Transportation Or,

Click on one of the boxes for more fun. Internet Site Explore Powhatan life on the Chesapeake Bay. Internet Site Explore life of the Powhatans and other Eastern Woodland tribes. Play a game to test your Powhatan knowledge.

Click on a button for a clue. Finish

What kind of transportation did the Powhatan tribes use? Walking and a horse A horse and wagon Walking and a log canoe Powhatan Power

What kind of transportation did the Powhatan tribes use? Walking and a log canoe Powhatan Power

What type of home did the Powhatans have? Teepee Yehakin Igloo Powhatan Power

What type of home did the Powhatans have? Yehakin Powhatan Power

Click on the picture of the type of homes that the Powhatans had. Powhatan Power

Click on the picture of the type of homes that the Powhatans had. Yehakin Powhatan Power

Which of the pictures is not one of the Three Sisters? Powhatan Power

Which of the pictures is not one of the Three Sisters? Tomatoes Powhatan Power The Three Sisters are squash, corn, and beans.

Squash, corn, and beans had a special name. What was it? The Three Stars The Major Crops The Three Sisters Powhatan Power

Squash, corn, and beans had a special name. What was it? The Three Sisters Powhatan Power

Which of these was a source of food for the Powhatan tribes? Wildlife Farm Animals Stores Powhatan Power

Which of these was a source of food for the Powhatan tribes? Wildlife Powhatan Power

Which of these was a source of food for the Powhatan tribes? Dairy Farms Fruit Orchids Seafood Powhatan Power

Which of these was a source of food for the Powhatan tribes? Seafood Powhatan Power

Click on the picture that shows what a Powhatan might have worn in the winter. Powhatan Power

Click on the picture that shows what a Powhatan might have worn in the winter. Powhatan Power

Click on the picture that shows what a Powhatan might have worn in the summer. Powhatan Power

Click on the picture that shows what a Powhatan might have worn in the summer. Powhatan Power

Which of these pictures shows a Powhatan tool for hunting? Powhatan Power

Which of these pictures shows a Powhatan tool for hunting? Arrow Powhatan Power

Which of the pictures is not a tool used by the Powhatans. Oyster Shell Mortar and PestleLoom Knife Powhatan Power

Which of the pictures is not a tool used by the Powhatans. Powhatan Power

Click on the picture that shows the tool used for grinding corn. Powhatan Power

Click on the picture that shows the tool used for grinding corn. Mortar and Pestle Powhatan Power

Knives NeedlesArrows Powhatan Power

Needles Powhatan Power

Mortar and Pestle ScraperHammer Powhatan Power

Mortar and Pestle Powhatan Power

Arrowheads KnivesOyster Shells Powhatan Power

Oyster Shells Powhatan Power

Spears ArrowsKnives Powhatan Power

Arrows Powhatan Power

Knives ScraperHammer Powhatan Power

Knives Powhatan Power

RaftLog canoe Sailboat Powhatan Power Graphic used with permission of Tara Pringle/Nativetech.org

Powhatan Power

Log canoe Powhatan Power Graphic used with permission of Tara Pringle/Nativetech.org

Powhatan Power Which of the pictures shows something that was not used by the Powhatans?

Powhatan Power

Which of the pictures shows something that was not used by the Powhatans? Ladder

Powhatan Power Where did the Powhatans get their food? Gardens, Farms, Ponds Gardens, Stores, Farms Gardens, Rivers, Woodlands

Powhatan Power

Where did the Powhatans get their food? Gardens, Rivers, Woodlands

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