8th Grade Social Studies Native Americans 8th Grade Social Studies

Immigration The first Native Americans migrated over the Bering Strait from Siberia into Alaska over 20,000 years ago. This ice formed land bridge was known as “Beringia”. They followed the Mammoths further south into North American toward grass lands.

Immigration The Native Americans migrated in search of food for survival. Their journey’s led them to present day United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America. In each region they settled, they adapted the environment to fit their needs and used the Natural Resources.

Natural Resources In each region, Native Americans used their resources surrounding them for survival. Over time groups developed their own “culture”, or way of life. Many became part of larger groupings which were organized under common leaders.

Scarcity Scarcity is defined as the lack of something (ex: food, resources, water, etc…) Native American first migrated because of a scarcity of food. Throughout the regions, Native Americans continued to make decisions about survival based on scarcity.

Using Everything Native Americans believed in using all parts of a resource out of their respect for nature. Ex: When they killed an animal, they would use the meat for food, fur for clothing, bones for tools, antlers for weapons, jewelry, etc…

View of Land Native Americans believed that each part of nature had its own spirit, for this reason, land could not be owned. Not only did they respect the land, but were willing to fight for it.

Great Spirit Most Native American tribes could trace the idea of the creation of land and people back to the Great Spirit. (like a common day God) They believed that the Great Spirit was linked to all parts of people, animals, nature, etc… For this reason, they worked hard to please the Great Spirit by respecting Nature and all it provided.

Permanent Settlements Many Regions had a steady supply of food, water, and resources such as fertile soil for farming. Most of these regions formed permanent settlements, or areas where Native American lived year round. They did this because their food and resources were always readily available.

Nomadic Regions In other areas, Native Americans had to constantly move around to hunt for food or resources. Most of these regions remained Nomadic, or moving from place to place. For this reason they were always moving in search of food or supplies.