1. North American Native Tribes

2. Similarities Among Tribes
Most of the Indian tribes formed settled communities.
Hunted and farmed – corn, squash, beans – to create a stable food supply.
3 Sister farming - Grew corn,
beans and squash all together
Corn grew in a stalk providing
a trellis for beans, beans grew
up the stalk, squash broad
leaves kept the sun off the
ground and thus kept the
moisture in the soil

3. Similarities Continued
Religions were nature based with many gods that represented natural elements.
Land was sacred and was not individually owned.
Men and women were involved in government
and decision making – women could hold
powerful positions within the tribe.
As time passed and Europeans started to come to their territory, many tribes developed confederations – alliances to deal with the new inhabitants.

4. 5 civilized tribes Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole
Lived in Southeast USA
Later be forced to relocate (Oklahoma)
Adopted many of the colonists customs – tried to assimilate and keep peace with the Europeans
Had pretty good relation with the white settlers
Had constitutional government

5. Iroquois Confederation
A group of 5 tribes in New York State
Each tribe independent
Only meet to discuss matters of war/defense
Matrilineal
Authority and possessions passed down through FEMALE line
They will be important when the colonists come – they will eventually have numerous conflicts.

6. Differences b/w Native Americans & Europeans
Land (ownership)
N.A. felt no man owned the land…tribe did
Europeans liked private property
Spirits/God
N.A. felt nature was mixed with many spirits
Europeans were Christian and monotheistic
Nature
N.A. felt nature was sacred
Europeans felt nature & land was given to man by God in Genesis to be subdued and put to use
Money
N.A. had little to no concept or interest in money
Europeans loved money….gold