Native American Cultural regions

1. Native American Cultural regions Cultural region: an area where people share some ways of life

2. Northwest Coast • Chinooks- lived in a climate where farming was not something they could do. It rained too much. They became the most well known traders in the region trading with other tribes to get items they could no grow. Traded dried fish, shells, whale products, seal oil, cedar, dugouts, masks, jewelry, baskets and copper. Lived in Pit houses. Traced they family through they mothers clan. Had potlatches to show off their wealth and importance in their villages.

3. Northwest Coast • Makah's- were expert whale hunters. Whales were the subject of many songs, dances, works of art and religious rituals in Makah culture. Held potlatches to show off their wealth and power in the village. Used all parts of the whale they caught, none was wasted. Used totem poles outside their doors to tell their family history and importance

4. Southwest • Hopi- lived in pueblos made of adobe that looked like open air apartments. Spent very little of their day indoors. Homes were for shelter from bad weather and sleeping. Lived in present day Arizona. Grew corn, beans, squash and cotton. Needed to have a surplus of food to survive times of drought. Men worked in the fields while women spent their day preparing meals and grinding corn. Believed in gods of the sun, rain and earth. Spirits called kachinas were also an important part of their religion.

5. Navajos • Early Navajos were nomads with no settled home. Moved to the four corners area of United States. Where the states of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado meet. Navajos stole from the Hopi until they were able to learn how to live in the land. Soon they were weaving and growing corn on their own Lived in Hogan a cone shaped house built by covering a log frame with mud or grass. Believed in gods they called the Holy people. Shaman was member of village who could call upon the gods for special favors. Believed sand paintings done by shaman had healing powers.

6. Plains • Plains Indians relied on the buffalo to provide them with the meat they needed. Some plains Indians were nomads who followed the buffalo year round while others stayed in villages during the summer and spring when the buffalo remained in a herd. Lived in teepees which were cone shaped tents made with poles covered in buffalo skins. Used every part of the buffalo in their daily lives, nothing was wasted. Believed in shamans who had special powers and could see the future and cure the sick.

7. Eastern Woodlands • Iroquois were some of the most powerful peoples of their region. Made up of five tribes that spoke similar languages. Formed a confederation and agreed to work together for peace, called the Iroquois League. Lived in longhouses that could be 50-150 long. Longhouses were home to many families in each village. Grew corn, beans and squash( the three sisters) hunted and fished in New York State.

8. Eastern Woodlands • Cherokee made their homes in the river valleys of the Appalachian mountains. Grew corn, beans, squash, pumpkins, sunflowers and tobacco. Gathered wild plants from the forest and fished. They hunted wild animals from the forest such as bear, deer, rabbit, turkey, and squirrels. Had two homes one from the winter and one for the summer. Homes arranged in villages of as many as 400 families. At the center of each village was a temple where the shamans held ceremonies for the hunters and farmers. The most important was the green corn ceremony to give thanks for a good harvest. Chiefs governed each village but Cherokee were also part of a larger confederation that worked together to solve problems.