Why do you think Native American tribes developed

different cultures?

Native American Cultures

Culture through Geography

North American LifeNorth American LifeRegional differences allow for different:CultureSocietal structureAgrarian(farming) versus NomadicReligion / Creation beliefs

Different Regions of Different Regions of Native PopulationNative Population

North

Northwest Coast

California

The Plateau

Great Basin*

Middle America*

Southwest

Plains

Northeast

Southeast

Caribbean

Regions of SettlementRegions of Settlement

NorthInuit and AleutIce fishing and huntingNomads- no permanent

homes, traveled in search of food

Regions of Regions of SettlementSettlement

Northwest CoastChinookPrimarily fishingDeveloped food storage

CaliforniaChumash & YurokFish and Hunter/ Gatherers

Regions of SettlementRegions of SettlementPlateau

Nez Perce & FlatheadFished for SalmonScavenged for roots

SouthwestApache, Navaho, PuebloSome farm, others nomadicCliff dwellers

Flathead Flathead

                                                                                                                            

                                             

Regions of SettlementRegions of Settlement

Plains Pawnee,

Osage, Sioux Hunt buffalo Plant squash,

beans and corn

Sioux Sioux

Regions of Regions of SettlementSettlement

SoutheastCherokee, Mobile, Creek,Grow cornHuntersMound buildersTowns with large

populations

Creek HouseCreek House

Cahokia- This artist’s rendering, based on archaeological evidence, suggests the size and magnificence of the Mississippian city of Cahokia. By the thirteenth century, it was as populous as medieval London, and served as a center of trade for the vast interior of North America.

Regions of Regions of SettlementSettlement

CaribbeanTaino- First Indians Columbus

encounteredFishingWiped out by European

Columbus Meets the Taino, 1493Columbus Meets the Taino, 1493

NortheastNortheastMohawk, Lenape, OneidaFished, hunted & gathered from

forests, grew cropsOften at war, form Iroquois League- created constitution Women selected male council