Native American Native American Origin MythsOrigin Myths

Beginnings- 1750Beginnings- 1750

Historical Background By 1492 North America was

populated with several hundred tribes of Native Americans.– In North America 30x longer than

Europeans– Widely dispersed across North America– A variety of languages, governments,

social organizations, customs, religions, diets, housing, and methods of survival

The OnondagaThe Onondaga

From modern day New York area One of the 5 original members of the

Iroquois Confederation Lived in villages of wood and bark

longhouses Peaceful people Known for lacrosse- a game played with a

hand-held basket and a ball Currently Onondaga still live in the area

on a reservation

Modoc

Lived in villages in Oregon and Northern California

Hunted, farmed, and fished Known for skilled weaving Warrior culture When forced onto a reservation by

US government, a band rebelled under a sub-chief known as Captain Jack

NavajoNavajo

Lived in the southwest Fierce warriors and hunters Intermarried with the peaceful Pueblo

who taught them to weave and farm Today the Navajo nation is the largest

Native American nation in the US with over 100,000 members

Currently live on Navajo reservation across Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico

Known for valuable contribution as “code talkers” in WWII

Iroquois

Powerful nation An alliance of Iroquoian speaking

tribes: – Mohawk– Oneida– Seneca– Cayuga– Onondaga

Had a developed democratic government with elected leaders

Iroquois tribes still exist today

Oral TraditionOral Tradition

The stories that are passed down from generation to generation in a culture without written language.

Stories and songs capture a culture’s– ideals– values– concerns– history– fears

Origin MythsOrigin Myths

Stories that meet the needs of a culture to explain– The origin or beginning of elements

of the natural world Humans and animals Tribes The Earth Oceans Mountains

Origin Myths Origin Myths

Customs, institutions, or religious rites

Marriage ceremonies Religious/spiritual practices Coming of age ceremonies

Origin MythsOrigin Myths

Events beyond human control– Weather– Natural disasters

Tornadoes Volcanoes Earthquakes

– The Ocean– Birth and death

Origin MythsOrigin Myths

Origin myths often teach a moral lesson– Obey your parents– Don’t go out in the dark by yourself– Keep trying and don’t give up

Cultural Details Cultural Details Origin myths include details that

identify the culture’s values and way of life– The importance of dreams as a message– Marriage customs– Method of survival

Farming Hunting

– Environmental influences Valuable animals Natural resources (mountains, ocean,

plants)