Page 1 - SSW: Native Tribes of North America

Week 15 of 32 • Page 4 UNIT: LIFE IN THE AMERICAS

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Native Tribes of North America WEEK 15
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Arctic Tribes
Arctic tribes lived in parts of northern Canada, Alaska, and
Greenland. The Inuit, Yuit, and Aleut are examples of Arctic
tribes. The land of the Arctic and Subarctic regions remains
frozen most of the year.
In the Arctic, food was not available in large amounts REGIONS AND PEOPLE OF THE
year-round. The native peoples who lived in this region had WESTERN HEMISPHERE
a very special understanding of how to get food in such a
unique area. They traveled great distances to hunt animals
like seals and caribou. They were also experts at fishing.
Plants are not as abundant in the Arctic, but they do exist.
Many tribal people gathered when a large animal, like a
whale, was caught. They used all parts of the whale and
its resources. When food was scarce, communities would
organize into small units.
In similar ways to other tribes, Arctic tribes used pelts for
their clothes. This kept them warm in the cold climate. Seal
hides were very valuable because they were waterproof.
Many Arctic tribes, like the Inuit, used dogs for
transportation. For fishing, however, they made wood-
carved kayaks. They also traveled on sleds and toboggans.
Tribes of the Northwest The Arctic tribes adapted to their environment. They used
the natural resources for survival and trade. They thrived in
all seasons.
Northwest peoples lived in a land full of plants, fish, Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde National Park,
Colorado; the largest cliff dwelling in
Colorado; the largest cliff dwelling in
and wild animals. Tribes such as the Tlingit, Haida, North America
North America
and Puyallup had very distinct cultures. They ate bear,
elk, and deer. They fished in the rivers for salmon and Lives of Native Peoples of North America
captured whales and sea lions from the ocean. People
used the land and resources around them to build their
homes. Clothing was made from local materials, like For thousands of years, before tribe has its own unique customs and and remembrance ceremonies. Oral
woven grass and animal skins. European exploration of the Americas, culture. These tribes lived, moved, and histories of heroes and times gone
Tribes of the Northwest, like the Nez Perce Indians, people called these continents home. called the Americas home long before by were in each tribe. Trade and

lived in earth houses during the fall and winter. During These first peoples were very diverse. Europeans arrived. communication were established

the spring and summer, they lived in tepees. Tepees are They had many names that identified Each tribe or nation had a different to meet their wants and needs.
tall, cone-shaped houses made of bison hides stretched their communities. These communities way of life. Still, cultures that had Safety and security were part of each
over wooden poles. Tepees were especially useful when were called tribes. developed by the 1400s shared community. Entertainment and work
hunting bison because they could be set up and taken Today, the Native Peoples of North many similarities. were mixed into their days. All the
down quickly. America are often called Native Each tribe had a sophisticated things that mark a vibrant society in
The tribes traveled frequently throughout the year, Americans, American Indians, Native society of families, markets, and any time period were present in the
harvesting and securing food. They were very skilled at Hawaiians, or Native Alaskans. Each governments. They had celebrations tribes of North America.
using natural resources to meet their needs.
The ocean, mountains, and land all are part of the
history and traditions of these tribes. A unique tradition
of the Northwest tribes is the building of totem poles. Tribes of the Northeast
Totem poles help tell the tribes’ histories and stories.
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Nativ
Native Peoples of the Northeast, or Eastern Woodlands, lived in a land
Nativ
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as also good
rich in fresh water, including the Great Lakes. The land was also good
rich in f
rich in fresh water, including the Great Lakes. The land was also good
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for farming and had many types of trees and other plants.
Many tribes lived in the Eastern Woodlands. These included the
Many tribes lived in the Eastern Woodlands. These included the
Comparison Activity Choose two tribes from the weekly articles. Read the articles, and fill out the chart below. Iroquois, Algonquin, Penobscot, Chippewa, Odawa, and Powhatan.
Photos courtesy Getty Images bark to build canoes and to cover their homes. They burned wood
Iroquois, Algonquin, Penobscot, Chippewa, Odawa, and Powhatan.
They grew corn, beans, and squash. The tribes used all the natural
They grew corn, beans, and squash. The tribes used all the natural
resources around them to meet their basic needs. They used birch
Name of Tribe resources around them to meet their basic needs. They used birch
bark to build canoes and to cover their homes. They burned wood
to stay warm and cook. They used tools for work and as weapons.
to stay warm and cook. They used tools for work and as weapons.
The animals they hunted fed the people. The hides, or skins, were
Name of House The animals they hunted fed the people. The hides, or skins, were
used to make clothes, containers, and bags. Everything was used, and
Building Material of House nothing was wasted.
Eastern Woodland tribes lived in larger villages in the summer
and smaller family groups in the winter. The houses were different
Food and Diet from tribe to tribe. Some tribes lived in wigwams, which are small,
dome-shaped homes. The Chippewa lived in wigwams. Tribes lived in
Clothing Material wigwams when they moved to hunt, fish, and gather natural resources.
Other tribes lived in larger, more permanent longhouses. The Iroquois
lived in longhouses. Many people could live in a longhouse. The homes
Interesting Fact fit the lifestyles of each community.
ESSENTIAL QUESTION
ESSENTIAL QUESTION
ESSENTIAL QUESTION
How were the different groups of Native Peoples organized based on their geography?