Page 2 - SSW: Native Tribes of North America

Week 15 of 32• Page 3
Tribes of
the West
Many tribes lived in the West. The
West includes parts of Nevada,
Idaho, Oregon, Utah, California,
Colorado, Montana, and Ute moccasins
Wyoming. This area is very
diverse, with mountains, rivers,
coasts, and deserts.
Tribes relied on the region's abundant resources to establish
a way of life. Many western tribes gathered, hunted, and fished
for food. Coastal areas and the rivers of the Great Basin provided
many fishing opportunities for native peoples. Tribes hunted large
animals, such as bison, deer, and elk. They also gathered wild
berries and nuts for food.
Many tribes followed large herds of animals and moved
throughout the region. They lived in easy-to-move lodge homes,
such as tepees or wickiups. A wickiup consisted of a wooden frame
covered with woven leaves and brush. Some tribes lived along the
Pacific coast.
Tribes of the Western region engaged in trade with one another.
The tribes of the Great Basin traded shells, animal hides, furs,
clothing, and baskets for other items. They used resources found in
their environment for clothing. They traditionally wore furs in colder
climates and seasons. In warmer areas and warmer parts of the environments that
year, they wore clothing made from bark, grasses, and animal skins. are described for the
Like other tribes, tribes of the West have a deep connection with
their environment. Sacred sites that are important to the beliefs
of the tribes, like mountains, sequoia trees, and rivers, are given
special respect.
Tribes of the Southwest
The landscape of the Southwest varies between deserts, valleys,
plateaus, and coastal areas. Tribes such as the Apache, Pueblo,
Navajo, and Hopi lived in this area. These tribes found different ways
to use the resources of their environment. People on the coast fished
for food. People who lived in the plateau areas were skilled in using
acorns for food. They hunted for antelope, rabbits, and deer.
Many tribes in this region lived in homes built of dried clay called
adobe. Adobe is a mixture of straw, water, and clay baked into hard
bricks. Some tribes built adobe homes into the rock cliffs in the area.
Other tribes built hogans made of wood and packed dirt. Like other
tribes across the continent, these tribes utilized the resources around
them to build their homes.
The tribes of the Southwest also farmed the land. Water can
be a scarce resource in the Southwest. Southwest tribes were very
resourceful and found ways to irrigate farmland. They gathered water
from rivers and underground water sources to grow crops. They grew
many crops, like corn, pumpkins, beans, squash, melons, and other
types of fruit. After contact with the Europeans, some tribes raised
cattle, sheep, and horses. One example of a tribe that raised livestock
is the Hopi of Arizona.
Tribes of the Midwest
Peoples of the Midwest lived on grasslands called plains. The
plains of North America are ideal for farming and hunting
animals that graze for food. These tribes utilized large areas
to hunt. They often moved with the animals they hunted. The
main source of food and materials for these tribes was bison.
They used every part of the bison to meet their needs. Bison
skin was used in tepees, clothing, containers, and blankets.
Bison dung was used as fuel for fires. These tribes lived in
tepees because they could be packed up and moved easily.
Many tribes inhabited this region long before Europeans,
including the Wichita and the Caddo. These tribes also
farmed the land. They traditionally grew corn, pumpkins,
beans, and squash.
They also hunted
deer, antelope,
and bears. Some
tribes lived in more
permanent villages.
These villages had
homes that couldn’t
Shrum Mound, Adena culture, be transported like the
Columbus, Ohio tepee could.
Underline
the physical
different tribes.
Tribes of Southeast
The Southeast region of the U.S. includes land from the Ohio River
to the Gulf of Mexico and from Texas to the Atlantic Ocean. The
American Indians who lived in this area had access to excellent soil
for growing crops. Many of them were farmers. Corn was an important
crop and was traded with other tribes. Southeastern tribes hunted
and fished for their proteins. The land was also rich in plants that
were made into medicines to help heal people. Because this area is a
mixture of forests and grasslands, homes ranged from grass huts to
wooden houses.
One of the largest tribes of the Southeast was the Creek tribe. Many
early Creek tribes built large earthen mounds throughout the region.
These mounds were part of large ceremonial complexes. The Creek
lived in log cabins made from lumber, mud,
and tree bark. Like other tribes, the Creek
adapted to their environment and used
the resources available where they settled.
The Creek were expert farmers and planted
crops such as corn, beans, and squash. They
Ceramic, Mississippian also hunted and fished for food.
culture