The First Americans

By Nicholette Johnson

How did the Native Americans get to the

North American continent?

How long were they living on this continent

and in present day Idaho before the White Man arrived from Europe?

Bering Land Bridge

At certain periods during the Pleistocene Epoch, the temperatures turned cold enough to freeze much of the Earth’s water into ice. From about 25,000 to nearly 10,000 years ago, sea levels were as much as 135 m (440 ft) lower than they are today, and a natural land bridge, called Beringia, linked present-day Siberia and Alaska. Most anthropologists believe that Native Americans descend from Asian peoples who migrated into North America by way of this land bridge.

Scientific Proof

• Anthropologists– Scientists who study the origin and cultures of

humans have noticed similarities between Asian groups and Native Americans:• Religious practices• Hunting tools• Dwellings (homes)• Food preservation methods

Scientific Proof• Archaeologists– Scientists who study ancient times and peoples by

artifacts have studied Native American History preserved through rock drawings and carvings.• Pictographs

– Drawings or paintings on rock

• Petroglyphs– Carvings in rock

Click Here

Wilson Butte Cave

• Archaeologist, Ruth Gruhn, discovered artifacts in Idaho that suggest Native Americans were here at least 10,000 years ago.

• See some artifacts.

Native American legends mention geologic events that also may suggest

they have been in this area for thousands of years.

• Read about the legends.

In 1803, little was known about the land west of the Mississippi River. President Jefferson proposed an expedition to explore these mysterious lands. Foreign powers were competing for lands and Jefferson felt it was urgent to explore the land and try to prevent the English from claiming new territories on this continent.

In 1805, when Lewis and Clark reached present-day Idaho, there were seven main Native American Tribes in the

region.

1. Coeur d’Alene2. Kalispel (Pend d’Oreille)3. Kootenai

4. Nez Perce

5. Shoshone6. Bannock7. Paiute

What did President Jefferson ask Lewis and Clark to find out about

the Native peoples of the continent?

Watch the introduction Go to Themes: Discovering Each Other. Watch this video(9min)

Go to Journey: Explore the Map and look at the letter from President Jefferson. To see the letter go to #4 and see the Gallery. Once there, select set 6 and the letter will be one of the selections.Don’t forget to click on modern map and 1804 map.

Please refer to a copy of the letter that your teacher gives to you. Read it with your partner. Be prepared to answer some questions.

http://www.lewisandclarkexhibit.org/cd_index_flash.html?

What was Lewis instructed to learn about the Native peoples?

• Their ordinary occupations in agriculture, fishing, hunting, war, arts, and the implements for these

• What are their customs and methods of living?• Their food, clothing, and domestic accommodations• What did they wear and eat? What were their

homes like?• The diseases prevalent among them, and the

remedies they use• What were their medicines?

What was Lewis instructed to learn about the Native Peoples?

• The names of the nations and their numbers• Tribe names and populations• The extent and limit of their possessions• How rich are the tribes?• Their language, traditions, monuments• Can we communicate with them?

What was Lewis instructed to learn about the Native Peoples?

• Moral and physical circumstances which distinguish them from the tribes we know

• How do they compare to the Eastern native people we know? (Iroquois)

• Peculiarities in their laws, customs, and dispositions

• Do we have reason to fear them?• And articles of commerce they may need or

furnish, and to what extent• Can we trade with them? Will they help us and

can we help them along the journey?

Other Native Peoples of North America

Lewis and Clark met many Native peoples. We will be studying the following:

Iroquois

Pueblo

Nez Perce

Cheyenne

Iroquois

Cheyenne

Nez Perce

Pueblos

Now it’s your turn to be an explorer of some of the Native Peoples of the North American

Continent . Have FUN!