Native Americans had a strong connection to their surroundings They viewed themselves as a part of the community of plants, animals, and other natural objects

“From Wakan Tanka, the Great Spirit, there came a great unifying life force that flowed in and through all things – the flowers of the plains, blowing winds, rocks, trees, birds, animals – and was the same force that breathed into the first man.” - Sioux

Believed each part of nature had its own spirit Natives attempted to maintain balance with these spirits

Did not believe land could be owned as property Natives adapted to the land to suit their needs Woodlands people set fires to clear heavy forest growth Berries could grow Deer could graze Southwest farmers built ditches to carry water to dry fields

“We dug our clams here, caught our salmon over there, got… seagull eggs on another island… By the time we came back here, this place had replenished itself.” “When we… kill meat, we eat it all up. When we dig roots we make little holes… we shake down acorns and pine nuts. We don’t chop down trees.”

Natural resources Deer, bears, beavers, fish, birds, syrup Thick forests, lakes, rivers Shelter Sturdy log framed houses Covered in elm bark 20 feet wide 100 feet long LONG HOUSES

Tribes found here: Algonquin Iroquois Built homes by rivers League of 5 Nations Food/Culture: Women farmed THE THREE SISTERS! Used deerskin for skirts, capes, moccasins Also farmed tobacco and sunflowers What do you think influenced tobacco farming?

Natural resources Coastal plains, river valleys, mountains, swamps Shelter Used young trees woven into a rectangular shape then plastered the frame with clay Their roofs were made of leaves and constructed at a point Homes were built around burial mounds

Food/Culture Grew the three sisters! As well as pumpkins Hunted squirrels, turkeys and rabbits Didn’t spend a lot of time on their clothing Instead spent their time constructing jewelry

Natural resources Flat grassland Little to no trees BUFFALO Shelter Buffalo skins fastened around tall cone shapes to make a tipi

Food/Culture Ate buffalo (duh!) Women cut up buffalo meat with knifes made from animal bones Anyone want to guess what animal? Items made from buffalo Clothing Softened by rubbing with bone scrapers, brains and fat Rope/bow string (buffalo hair) Shields/bedding (skins) Spoons/bowls (horns and hooves) Or boiled to become glue Even using excretion to fuel fires THE HORSE – how do we know this helped the natives? Which natives in Texas do we KNOW were found in the Great Plains?

Natural resources Canyons, mountains, mesas, deserts, rivers What are the two major rivers?? Shelter Made of sun-baked clay ADOBE Houses were apartment like buildings called pueblos Which Texas natives lived in the SOUTHWEST?

Some were nomadic Since in areas of the Southwest food was scarce Along the rivers some farmed The three sisters! Farmed on the tops of high flat areas What land form??

Natural resources Coast, coastal foothills, valleys, trees SALMON, shellfish, deer Shelter Simple cone shaped homes

Food/Culture Rabbits, deer Used plant material to weave Used animal parts for tools When it was cold they used animal hides to keep them warm

Natural resources Plants that didn’t need a lot of water Lies between Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Rocky Mountains Mostly desert Shelter Temporary homes Moved a lot to find food So they are what vocabulary word???

Natural resources Mountains, dense forests, SALMON Shelter Built along rivers Sturdy wooden homes Food/Culture Fish, plants

Natural resources Fir, spruce, cedar – TREES/FORESTS Seafood Shelter Sturdy wooden homes Created cedar shingles on the roofs Food/Culture Seafood Hunt seals, whales, deer, moose, bear, elk