who were the first americans

Who were the first Americans?

Ancient America “Clock”

Who were they?What was life like?What happened to them?

Paleo-Indians

Native Americans versus Indians?

Eastern WoodlandsIroquois and Cherokee

Great PlainsSioux, Cheyenne, Crow, Comanche, Blackfeet,

and PawneeGreat Basin

Paiute and ShoshoneSouthwestern

Apache, Pueblo, Navajo, and UteMeso-American

Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas

American Indian Regions

Eastern Woodlands IndiansInhabited land east

of Mississippi RiverLargely forestDepended on forest

for food, shelter, clothing, weapons, and tools

IroquoisCherokee

The IroquoisLived in Present day

New YorkActually a nation made

up of 5 tribes- League of Five NationsSenecaOnondagaOneidaMohawkCayuga

LacrosseCanoes

Hunters and GatherersGathered berries,

fruits, and nutsPlanted fields of

corn, beans, and squash

Used bow and arrow to hunt

Canoe (hallowed out tree) was used for fishing

Used maple trees for sugar

Wigwams and LonghousesBent young treesTree bark overlapped

to protect from rain and snow

Small hole allowed smoke from fire to escape

Animal skin was used for beds

Longhouses were used for several families

The CherokeeLived mainly in present day

Tennessee and GeorgiaLived in large villages

30-60 houses Meeting house

Created homes from wattle and daubWattle- small branches and

twigs woven togetherDaub- Clay

Excellent farmersLived near lakes and

hunted using spears

Great Plains IndiansPrimarily nomadicFollowed herds of buffaloUsed every part of the

buffaloPolytheisticUsed tepees out of buffalo

skin for shelterPowwows- ceremony to the

Great SpiritThe Sundance- lasted 4

days in the summerThe Ghost Dance- done at

night to speak to Gods and ancestors

Uses of the Buffalo

The

Ghos

t

Danc

e

Great Basin IndiansArea is set between

mountains and rivers do not flow to an ocean

Includes Utah, Nevada, parts of Wyoming and Colorado

Very little grows- pine nuts

Hunted small animals such as jackrabbits, antelope, and waterfowl

Dry and desert like in summer, cold winters

Petro glyphs

Southwestern IndiansLived in present day

Arizona, New Mexico, Southern Colorado, and Northern Mexico

Most well known are Apache and Navajo

Lived in adobe buildingsCombo of clay,

straw, and animal feces dried in sun

Life in the DesertNot much to eat, so

they became farmersCornBeansSquashMelonPumpkins

Hot so didn’t wear muchLong hairMoccasins

The Art of the Southwest IndiansTurquoise

Stone of happiness, health, and good fortune

“Something blue”Sterling Silver

Learned how to melt and make jewelry with silver from Mexican tribes

Basket weavingKachina dolls

Carved out of wood Zuni and Hopi tribes usually Pictured is Aholi Navajo

Chief (said to bring moisture)

Blue Corn Maiden (Hopi)

Kachina DollsThe Badger Hopi Doll (for healing)

What aspects of Native American culture are seen in “present” society?

Review the 5 regions of First Americans and be able to indicate major similarities and differences

Look over supplemental information on the First Americans (found in Blackboard)

Be prepared to discuss impact of European Explorers and other early “settlers” on America

Will go over directions for Columbus argument paper

For Friday’s class