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

2. 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.

3. Map of Native Texans

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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?