Native American

Native AmericanVocabulary

InuitThe Inuit hunted seal, whale, caribou and other animals for food. They used blocks of hard packed snow to build their homes called igloos.

The Inuit settled in the Arctic region which is now known as Alaska, Canada, and Greenland.

KwakiutlThe Kwakiutl made clothing from bark and lived near the coast or river. They ate fish and other ocean animals. Their homes were large and built from cedar trees.

The Kwakiutl lived in the Pacific Northwest region.

Nez PerceThe Nez Perce lived on the Columbia Plateau between the Cascades and the Rockies. They caught salmon in the river valleys during the spring. They hunted and gathered plants and berries in the summer.

The Nez Perce were one of the largest nations of the Plateau region.

PawneeThe Pawnee farmed for half of the year and hunted for the other half of the year. They were mainly agricultural people. They were travelers and hunted buffalo. They built earth lodges out of bark and grass.

The Pawnee lived in the Eastern Plains region.

SeminoleThe Seminole’s lived in Florida. They made canoes out of dugout logs. They planted crops such as corn and beans. They also hunted animals such as deer, turkey, and alligators.

The Seminole’s lived in the Southeastern Woodlands region.

HopiThe Hopi built homes called pueblos with many rooms. They grew crops including corn. They made pottery and believed they were caretakers of the land.

The Hopi lived in the Southwest region of the United States.

EnvironmentThe surroundings in which people, plants, and animals live.

Civilization

A group of people living together who have systems of government, religion, and culture.

ClanA group of related families.

SettlementA small community of people living in a new place.

PermanentExisting for an extended period of time without changing.

Some crops are permanent, such as citrus trees.

IrrigationA way of supplying water to crops with streams, ditches, or pipes.

SurvivalThe act of surviving. To carry on despite hardships.

SurplusExtra. Something that is greater than what is needed.

ClimateA type of weather a place has over a long time.

Natural ResourcesA material from nature, such as soil or water, that people use.