The People of North America

The People of the Far North The world of the Inuits, meaning “Humans” Others called them Eskimos, meaning “Eaters of Raw Meat”

The Inuit settled in the Arctic and Sub Arctic Lived along Coastal Plains – Climate was harsh – Frozen seas – Ice and snow – High winds – Treeless

Adaptations— – Nomadic life style Lived near coast in igloos in winter Diet almost entirely of seal meat

Moved inland in summer with shelters of skins to hunt caribou and fish

Used driftwood and animal fat for fuel Religion: Animal worship Kayaks helped them fish!!!!

People of the Northwest Coast

The world of the Tlingit, Bella Coola, Kwakuitl These people settled in the Coastal Forests

Climate was favorable Plentiful food and supplies – Fish (salmon) from the sea – Deer, Moose, and Bears provided food and hides – Forest provided materials for shelter

Adaptations— – Permanent homes – Trade with other groups

– Families achieved status by holding a Potlatch and giving away gifts

Religion: Animal worship. People built Totem Poles

Far West Climate: Cold in the north forests, dry in southern California Shelter: Pit houses, bark-covered cone-shaped houses, plankhouses People: Pomos, Coos, Shoshone

People of the South West

The world of the Navajos, Hopis, Zunis, and Anasazis

These people settled in the deserts and basins Climate: Warm and Dry year round – Very few trees – Few large animals

Adaptations— – Adobe shelters of mud and stone – Anasazis built cliff dwellings

Roads connected villages which led to exchange of goods and ideas

Way of life was farming. Used system of irrigation to water crops.

Religion: Spirits of wind, rain, and thunder

People of the Great Plains

World of the Sioux, Dakota, Cheyenne, and Blackfeet

These people settled in the vast grasslands from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains

Climate: Hot and dry in summer, cold and snow in winter

Few trees

Thousands of acres of grass

Large herds of grazing animals— – Antelope – Elk – Deer – Buffalo

Adaptations— – Hunters and gatherers – Arrival of the horse changed their life

Prior to the horse, hunting was difficult

The horse allowed hunters to keep up with the running herds

Nomadic life style almost exclusively hunters following the migrating buffalo

Homes of hides and poles called tepees

Religion: Believed in a “Great Spirit” with ceremonies linked to the hunt

People of the Eastern Woodlands

World of the Iroquois, Huron, Miami and Algonquians They were grouped together because their languages were similar.

These people settled in the forest and meadows

Climate: Moderate year round – Food was plentiful – Forest provided food, and building materials

Adaptations— – Shelters called longhouses made of poles and bark

The Longhouse

Lifestyle was semi-nomadic. Villages moved every 10 to 20 years

Men hunters and women farmers. The “3 Sisters”, squash, beans, and corn

Women owned all the property and selected the tribal leaders (sachems)

Men moved into wife’s family at marriage

Many groups lived in this region Formed alliance Very war like The League of the Iroquois – Mohawk – Seneca – Onondaga – Cayuga – Oneida – Tuscarora (later)

The League of the Iroquois Mohawk Seneca Onondaga Each had a clan!!! Cayuga Oneida Tuscarora (later)

The Algonquians – Opposed the Iroquois – Algonquians included— Wappingers Delawares (Lenni Lenape) And Mohicans

Religion: Worshipped the “Spirit Twins.” Spirits of the forest (bad) and of the clearings (good)

Southeast Climate: mild, but HOT and HUMID in the summer Shelter: wood framed houses with straw mats! Clay mud kept the houses cool Tribes: Shawnee, Cherokee, Natchez