Why do you think Native American tribes developed different cultures?
Native American Cultures Culture through Geography
North American Life Regional differences allow for different: Culture Societal structure Agrarian (farming) versus Nomadic Religion / Creation beliefs
Different Regions of Native Population North Northwest Coast California The Plateau Great Basin * Middle America * Southwest Plains Northeast Southeast Caribbean
Regions of Settlement North Inuit and Aleut Ice fishing and hunting Nomads - no permanent homes, traveled in search of food
Regions of Settlement Northwest Coast Chinook Primarily fishing Developed food storage California Chumash & Yurok Fish and Hunter/ Gatherers
Regions of Settlement Plateau Nez Perce & Flathead Fished for Salmon Scavenged for roots Southwest Apache, Navaho, Pueblo Some farm, others nomadic Cliff dwellers
Flathead
Regions of Settlement Plains Pawnee, Osage, Sioux Hunt buffalo Plant squash, beans and corn
Sioux
Regions of Settlement Southeast Cherokee, Mobile, Creek, Grow corn Hunters Mound builders Towns with large populations
Creek House
Cahokia- This artist’s rendering, based on archaeological evidence, suggests the size and magnificence of the Mississippian city of Cahokia. By the thirteenth century, it was as populous as medieval London, and served as a center of trade for the vast interior of North America.
Regions of Settlement Caribbean Taino- First Indians Columbus encountered Fishing Wiped out by European
Columbus Meets the Taino, 1493
Northeast Mohawk, Lenape, Oneida Fished, hunted & gathered from forests, grew crops Often at war, form Iroquois League- created constitution Women selected male council