People of the Southwest

Native American CulturesEssential QuestionHow did Native Americans in different regions use natural resources to meet their needs?Native AmericansNative Americans were the first people to live here.Scientists think that they came to this continent from Asia during the last ice age over the Bering Strait when it was frozen.

CivilizationsNative Americans spread out and developed civilizations all over AmericaA civilization is a group of people living together who have the same system of government, religion, and culture. We will be learning about the Native Americans that settled in North America.

Native American GroupsThere were many groups of Native Americans. Each group used whatever natural resources were available in their environment. They lived in different places and had very different lives.People of the ArcticInuitWhat do you think the climate is like in this area of the world?

Arctic ClimateThe Inuit live in the Arctic, where the climate is cold and snowy.

Adapting to the Arctic ClimateInuit had to adaptBuilt homes from ice, stones, and caribou skinsHunted seal, whale, caribou

People of the NorthwestPacific NorthwestNative Americans of the Pacific Northwest, like the Kwakiutl and Nez Perce, lived in the coastal area that stretches from Alaska to Northern California.

Natural Resources

ShelterUsed trees to build shelter

TransportationCarved canoes (called dugouts) from treesUsed as transportation in rivers and lakesTook into the ocean to fish and hunt whalesTotem PolesTotem poles were carved from trees and decorated to show important family history

ClothingDid not raise sheepUsed cedar bark to make clothing

FoodSalmon Caught so many salmon, they had extra or surplusShellfishWhalesSealsBerriesRootsGeeseDeerElkBear

People of the Southwest

Make Some Predictions!What would it be like to live in the desert?

Lets Check It Out...Click on the Photos tab to see more photos of this region.

The SouthwestUtah, Colorado, Nevada, Texas, California, Arizona, New MexicoLow, flat desertVery dry!Not many trees

ShelterBuilt homes from sticks, stones, and adobe clayHomes built on top of small plateaus called mesas to protect from attacks

Shelter

AgricultureIrrigation was important so crops could surviveIrrigation = supplying water to crops with streams, ditches, or pipesCorn was planted deep in the ground so the roots could get to waterCorn planted in areas that flooded during spring rains

The HopiOne of the oldest Indian groups in the SouthwestPueblo Indians because villages looked like towns to the first Spanish who arrived in North America

The Hopi - FoodBeans, squash, and cornCorn was a staple food eaten at every meal!Kept corn in storage rooms in pueblos

The Hopi - ArtMade clay pots to hold food and waterFired their pottery with coal to make it strongWeavingsBasketsSilver jewelry

The Hopi - ReligionReligiousBelieved they were caretakers of the earthPerformed ceremonies to show their beliefs

SummaryThe Hopi and other American Indians built pueblos in the Southwest. They used irrigation and other methods to grow beans, squash, and corn in a dry climate. Hopi culture included ceremonies throughout the year. Many Hopi people today still take part in their cultural traditions.People of the Plains

The Great PlainsIn the center of North AmericaFrom the Mississippi River to the Rocky MountainsFrom Texas into CanadaFlat land, filled with grassSome dry areas, some wet areas

PawneeEastern Plains Wet, fertile landBuilt permanent villages near riversMade earth lodges using bark, earth, and grassFarmed corn, squash and beans for half the yearHunted buffalo for half the year

Western Plains IndiansDry land Farming was difficultNomads who followed the buffaloGot everything they needed from buffalo! (Tools, food, clothing, blankets, shelter)Carried belongings in travois and lived in teepees

Buffalo Hide PaintingsClick the photo to learn more about buffalo hide paintings.

Comanche and HorsesSpanish brought horses to North AmericaComanche rode and raised horsesUsed horses to hunt and travelFierce warriors on horsebackBecame very powerful

People of the East

The Eastern WoodlandsVaried landformsHills, mountains, valleys, plainsEnough rain for forests to grow

Food in the WoodlandsCorn, beans and squash were staple foodsCalled the three sistersMany sources of food!Hunted deer, bears, rabbitsFarmed and ate food from plants in the regionMade syrup from sapGathered wild rice near the Great Lakes

Living in the WoodlandsNorthLonghouses made from wood poles and barkDeerskin clothingSouthBuilt homes without walls Wore light clothing made from grass

Haudenosaunee GovernmentLived in what is now New York Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, Senecas, and TuscaroraFormed a confederation, or government made of several groups, called HaudenosauneeChiefs from each nation governed the confederation

Haudenosaunee TradingWoodland Indians traded with each otherBartered for different goods traded without using moneyUsed wampum (belts made with pieces of seashell) to symbolize agreements

SummaryEastern Woodlands was an area of forests and rich resources that spread across much of eastern North America. Most Eastern Woodland peoples used farming, hunting, and gathering to get food.Rather than fighting each other, many nations joined together to form a confederation called the Haudenosaunee League.The Haudenosaunee lived in longhouses and traded goods with other American Indian groups.