Native American Culture Groups

Section 3

Arctic • Northern Borders of AL and

Canada- Cold, little rain or snow, near to the arctic ocean

• Lived in Igloos, Tents made of animal skin

• Ate- Clams, berries, seals, fish• Carved masks, decorated tools• Used boats, dog sleds• Believed in animium, non-living

and living things, all things have a spirit.

Sub-arctic• Canada, Central Alaska-

Woodland with extremely cold winters and cool short summers.

• Lived in- Wood, Sod Homes

• Hunted moose, deer, rabbits

• Made Ivory Carvings• Used Kayaks, Dog Sleds

The Northwest Coast

• Located Pacific NW coast- Cool or cold and wet year round

• Lived in- Large Houses made of wood

• Ate- Salmon, Sea Otters, Bears, Moose, Whale

• Made- Totem Poles, Baskets, Clothing

• Used Canoes which could hold more than 50 people

California• Lived on Pacific Coast- Warm

or hot summers, cool winters, plenty of rain

• Lived in- dome shaped houses, willow poles covered with mats

• Ate- Fish, Shellfish, Wild Plants, hunted, gathered

• Made- Basketweaving, Hoop and Pole Game

• Used Canoes

The Plateau• Between Cascade Mountains

and Rockies- Cold winters, hot summers, lots of rivers

• Lived in- Winter Lodges part way underground, summer temporary shelters made of logs and mats

• Ate- Salmon, Roots and Berries

• Made- Basket• Used Canoes, Snowshoes

The Great Basin • UT, NV, CA,- hot and dry• Lived in- Huts made out of

sticks• Ate- seeds, berries, roots,

snakes, and lizards• Made- Cloth, Baskets• Traveled by foot and canoe

The Southwest • Northern Mexico, Arizona,

New Mexico- deserts with rivers

• Apartment like buildings made of adobe, pueblos

• Ate- maize, beans, squash, melons, pumpkins, fruit- Farmed with irrigation

• Made- Kachina Dolls, Sandpaintings Pottery, Woven Blankets, Rugs

• Used-Travois (drag sled)

The Plains• Mississippi River to the

Rockies- Grasslands• Lived in- Tee Pees• Ate- Buffalo, farmed corn

beans squash• Used- Horses (after contact

with the Europeans), Travois (drag sled)

The Southeast

• Lived in southeast United States- Hot wet summers, cool winters, woodland and swamps

• Lived in- domed shaped grass lodges, wooden lodges

• Ate- Deer, fish, corn, beans, squash

• Made- baskets, stone tools• Used- canoes, traveled by

foot

Northeast Woodlands

• Lived in Northeast USA and part of Canada- Woodland, cold winters, hot summers

• Lived in- Log Homes• Ate- bears, wolves, foxes, deer,

fish.• Made- necklaces from cedar

bark and wool• Used- canoes and walked

Aztec

• Central Mexico- Mountains, lakes and rivers

• Lived in- Huge stone cities• Ate- Food made by other

tribes, taken through trade or conquest, Food they farmed

• Made- Trade goods, weapons

• Traveled by boat and roads

Inca

• Andes Mountains, South America- Mountains

• Lived in- Stone houses• Ate- corn, beans, squash• Made- wool clothing

from alpacas and llamas• Traveled by roads built

among the mountains

Maya

• Mexico and Central America –jungles

• Lived in- Huge stone cities• Ate- corn, beets,

avocados, sweet potatoes, raised turkeys

• Made- artwork from jade and feathers, carved stone

• Traveled by boat or roads they had built