1. American Indians: First Americans
American Indians were the first people who lived in Virginia. They lived in all areas of the state.

2. 3 major language groups:
1. Algonquian was spoken in the Tidewater region. The Powhatans were members of this group.
2. Siouan was spoken in the Piedmont region. The Monacan were part.
3. Iroquoian was spoken in southwestern and southern Virginia, near what is today North Carolina. The Cherokee were part of this group.

3. Southwestern & southern VA
LANGUAGE GROUP:
AREA:
TRIBE:
Algonquian
Tidewater
Powhatans
Siouan
Piedmont
Monacan
Iroquoian
Southwestern & southern VA
Cherokee

4. Why are First Americans called Indians?
Christopher Columbus called the people he found in the lands he explored“Indians” because he thought he was in the Indies (near China).

5. What evidence is there that American Indians lived in all areas of the state?
Artifacts such as:
Arrowheads
Pottery
Other tools
These artifacts that have been found tell a lot about the people who lived in VA.

6. The Powhatan lived in longhouses called yahakean.

7. What are some characteristics of Virginia’s climate?
The climate is relatively mild with 4 distinct seasons – spring, summer, fall, and winter – resulting in a variety of vegetation.
Forests, which have a variety of trees, cover most of the land. Virginia’s Indians are referred to as Eastern Woodland Indians.

8. Food changed with the seasons:
How did Virginia’s American Indians adapt (change) to the climate and use their environment to meet their needs?
The kinds of food they ate, the clothing they wore, and the shelters they had depended on the seasons.
Food changed with the seasons:
WINTER – hunted birds and animals & lived on stored foods from the previous fall
SPRING – hunted, fished and picked berries
SUMMER – grew crops (beans, corn, squash) “3 sisters”
FALL – harvested crops & hunted foods to preserve and keep for the winter.

9. Animals skins (deerskin) were used for clothing.
Shelter was made from materials around them.

10. Native peoples of the past farmed, hunted, and fished
Native peoples of the past farmed, hunted, and fished. They made homes using natural resources. They used animal skins for clothing in the winter.

11. Today, most native peoples live like other Americans
Today, most native peoples live like other Americans. Their cultures have changed over time.

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