1. First Five: Think About It…
What is the difference between “American Indian,” “Native American,” “First peoples,” “indigenous people”?
Which one should I use?
Why?

2. NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURES OF TEXAS
SOUTHEASTERN
PUEBLO
GULF
PLAINS

3. The name “Southeastern People” comes from the Southeastern section of the United States (not the Southeastern part of Texas).

4. The Southeastern People
Caddo
Wichita

5. The Southeastern People lived in the Piney Woods area of the Coastal Plains and in the Cross Timbers of the North Central Plains

6. The Southeastern People’s territory extended into Louisiana
The Southeastern People’s territory extended into Louisiana. Arkansas and Oklahoma. This region has a good annual rainfall. This area has a good climate for farming. There are many springs, creeks, streams and several large rivers in this area which provided fresh water for their communities

7. Because they lived in the woods they used wood for many things
Because they lived in the woods they used wood for many things. To cut down trees they used stone axes. Here is a stone axe. These were not very sharp and cutting down a tree took a long time and a lot of work.

8. They lived in tall cone shaped grass huts with wooden frames
They lived in tall cone shaped grass huts with wooden frames. To build a hut, they made a wood frame and covered it with cut cane and long grasses.

9. They lived in permanent villages
They lived in permanent villages. Because they could farm, there was no need to roam around to find their food.
They built a winter home with covered walls because it was cold in the winter.
They build a summer home right next to their winter home – no walls…early form of A/C?!?

10. These huts were nicely furnished inside with furniture and were quite comfortable.

11. The Southeastern People were farmers
The Southeastern People were farmers. They planted crops in large clearings in the woods. They raised corn, beans and squash. They also hunted the deer, turkey, rabbits, squirrels and other animals in the pine woods around them.

12. Because the Southeastern People lived in an area where the soil was rich, they were able to farm and make intricate pottery from the earth.
Because they could farm, they lived in permanent villages.
Because they lived in one place, they had time to devote to religious beliefs.

13. They formed a Confederacy of tribes
They formed a Confederacy of tribes. This Confederacy helped protect them in the event of an attack by outsiders.
They were governed by a central chief who lived in a centrally located village. There were sub-chiefs that lived in villages along the rivers and lakes in the area.

14. They called the confederacy the Tejas.
Tejas is the Spanish spelling of the Caddo word and it is pronounced Te-haas.
Sound familiar? TEXAS!!!
Yup, Texas is a Caddoan word. It means "those who are friends".
The Tejas Caddo tribes were all "friends".

15. Their Legacy
These people are best known for their early methods of farming, pottery and government

16. Specific Native American Tribes Geographic Region Inhabited
Southeastern
Plains
Puebloan
Gulf
Specific Native American Tribes
Geographic Region Inhabited
Types of shelter
Lifestyle
Food
Legacy