American Indians in Texas An Overview Coastal Puebloan Great Plains Southeastern Click on picture Chris Aigner - 2011

How Did the “original Americans” Get Here? Scientists believe that they walked across the Bering Strait; a portion of ocean-covered land between Russia and Canada. The oceans froze, causing the water to recede, leaving a “bridge” for ancient people to migrate across. They were most likely in search of food and warmer climates.

Map of Native Texans

Southeastern Culture (Caddo, Atakapans) Lived in the coastal plains Got their food by farming-ate fruits, vegetables and grains Lived in Grass Huts made out of wooden frames and dry grasses Clothing made of deer hide and feathers Worked together as a confederacy---women played an important role in their society Called “mound builders”, made pottery, moved to Oklahoma, The Caddo gave Texas its name--Tejas

Coastal Culture (Karankowa, Coahuiltecans) Lived in the coastal plains near the Gulf Got their food by fishing-ate fish, shellfish, and small animals Lived in Wood Framed Homes or small domes with woven grass walls Clothing—loin cloth, animal skins Had appointed chiefs to lead villages made dugout canoes **Karankowa tribe died out from European diseases

Pueblo Culture (Jumano, Tigua) Lived in the mountains near the Rio Grande River –used irrigation ditches Got their food by farming-ate dried corn, squash and beans Lived in Adobe Pueblos (like apartment buildings) Communal living Clothing: loin cloths, sandals, mud hats to keep cool Each village had a leader with its own government Cooked using a hollow gourd, traded with other tribes ***Very friendly

Adobe housing They were apartment-like dwellings made out of mud and dried to form homes.

Plains Culture (Apache, Comanche, Kiowa, Tonkawa, Wichita) Lived in the Texas plains Got their food by hunting- ate buffalo Lived in teepees----nomads Clothing----loin cloths, animal skins One chief led the tribe Many were literate and educated. Known as warriors Nomads, made pottery, moved to reservation in early 1900’s Click on picture Lipan Warrior

Comanche (Great Plains) *Hunters and gatherers because it was easier than farming Nomads—lived in tee-pees Used leather instead of pottery because it could be broken raided just about everyone and stole goods and horses The single most important tribe in shaping Texas history

American Indians in Texas Click on picture Think about it! American Indians are the ancestors of our country and our state. What can we take away from their lives to apply to our own?