Native Americans of the Plateau Region of the United States for Kids and Teachers (original) (raw)
Early People of the Plateau: About 10,000 years ago, different tribes of Native Americans settled in the Plateau region of the United States. They were hunters and gatherers. These different tribes had many cultural similarities. They were nomadic and moved around throughout the year. They had a winter home, a summer home, and temporary homes as needed for various activities.
The geography of the Plateau had a great influence on the lives of these early people
Equality and Loyalty - Family First, Independent Villages, and Equality in Government
Food - Improving Nature, Hunting Parties, and Fishing Stations
A Religion of Many Spirits, and the Shaman
Marriage, Weddings, and Living Space
Babies, Birthing Huts, and Cradle Boards
Homes, the Pit House, the Summer House, the Temporary House
Clothing, Hats, Headdresses, Jewelry
Artistic Crafts, Carvings, Beadwork, Baskets, Mats, Tools, Designs
The Hand Game (also called the Stick Game)
The Storytellers - Historians/Storytellers/Teachers
For Teachers
Free Lesson Plans and Background Information about the Plateau People
Free Powerpoints about the People of the Plateau
Native American Classroom Activities for Teachers and Kids
Native American Games to Play in the Classroom (scroll down)
Native Americans for Kids
Native Americans in US, Canada, and the Far North
Early people of North America (during the ice age 40,000 years ago)
Northeast Woodland Tribes and Nations - The Northeast Woodlands include all five great lakes as well as the Finger Lakes and the Saint Lawrence River. Come explore the 3 sisters, longhouses, village life, the League of Nations, sacred trees, snowsnake games, wampum, the arrowmaker, dream catchers, night messages, the game of sep and more. Special Sections:Iroquois Nation,Ojibwa/Chippewa,The Lenape Indians. Read two myths: Wise Owl andThe Invisible Warrior.
Southeast Woodland Tribes and Nations - The Indians of the Southeast were considered members of the Woodland Indians. The people believed in many deities, and prayed in song and dance for guidance. Explore the darkening land, battle techniques, clans and marriage, law and order, and more. Travel the Trail of Tears. Meet theMuscogee (Creek),Chickasaw,Choctaw,Mississippians,Seminole Indians and Cherokee Indians.
Plains Indians - What was life like in what is now the Great Plains region of the United States? Some tribes wandered the plains in search of foods. Others settled down and grew crops. They spoke different languages. Why was the buffalo so important? What different did horses make? What was coup counting? Who was Clever Coyote? Meet theBlackfoot,Cheyenne,Comanche,Pawnee, andSioux Nation.
Southwest Indians - Pueblo is not the name of a tribe. It is a Spanish word for village. The Pueblo People are the decedents of theAnasazi People. The Navajo and the Apache arrived in the southwest in the 1300s. They both raided the peacefulPueblo tribes for food and other goods. Who were the Devil Dancers? Why are blue stones important? What is a wickiup? Who was Child of Water?
Pacific Coastal Northwest Indians - What made some of the Pacific Northwest Indian tribes "rich" in ancient times? Why were woven mats so important? How did totem poles get started? What was life like in the longhouse? What were money blankets and coppers? How did the fur trade work? How did Raven Steal Crow's Potlatch?
Inland Plateau People - About 10,000 years ago, different tribes of Indians settled in the Northwest Inland Plateau region of the United States and Canada, located between two huge mountain ranges - the Rockies and the Cascades. The Plateau stretches from BC British Columbia all the way down to nearly Texas. Each village was independent, and each had a democratic system of government. They were deeply religious and believed spirits could be found everything - in both living and non-living things. Meet theNez Perce
California Indians - The Far West was a land of great diversity. Death Valley and Mount Whitney are the highest and lowest points in the United States. They are within sight of each other. Tribes living in what would become California were as different as their landscape.