2.  Inhabited North America thousands of years before the first Europeans arrived  Most tribal names meant “the people”  Had complex religious beliefs, sophisticated political systems, and strong social values  Did not regard themselves as a single nation, but over 200 groups with 5 00 different languages

3.  Was primarily oral, passed down through the generations by storytelling and performances  Many creation myths—explaining the beginning of the world  Many tales of heroes and tricksters who helped to transform the world  Ritual songs  Chants

4.  Collected in the early 1900’s and translated into English by anthropologists  Even though translations, pieces still reflect the beauty, wisdom, and humor of the Native American culture

5.  The importance of living in harmony with the natural world  The kinship between humans and animals, plants, the land, heavenly bodies, and the elements  All of nature is “alive and aware”  Human beings do not have dominion over nature—just a part

6.  New generation of writers: N. Scott Momaday  Most new NA writers focus on the problems of harmonizing the old and the new cultures  Continue to use traditional sources for inspiration