Native American Cultures

Since ancient times, many native peoples across America governed themselves with a tribal council or another system of government. Many developed constitutions to codify their laws as well. This important aspect of Native American history is carefully explained in this well-researched and accessible book, which focuses on the governments of several native peoples. Historical images, interesting fact boxes, and a colorful design make this significant subject even more appealing to young historians.

Native American celebrations are packed with symbolic gestures and intriguing details. A kind of party called a potlatch, staged by native peoples of the Pacific Northwest, was marked by guests receiving gifts, not giving them, and were sometimes put on to get back at an enemy. This appealing volume about a high-interest aspect of native cultures highlights several celebrations and ceremonies important to Native Americans across North America. Thought-provoking fact boxes, historical images, and modern-day customs will engage readers of all levels.

From hunting buffalo on the plains to harvesting the bulb of the agave plant in the rocky desert, the Apache have shown great resourcefulness throughout their history. This volume allows readers a glimpse into the rich culture of this native people, including the significant and sometimes tragic events that changed their traditional way of life forever. Famous Apache leaders Cochise and Geronimo are highlighted in the text as well as life on modern Apache reservations. Carefully chosen photographs and graphic organizers emphasize key ideas about Apache customs and history.

The clothing of native peoples reveals much about the resources available to them, the climate in which they lived, their customs, and their creativity with textiles. This concise guide to native clothing features different apparel worn by a variety of tribes across America. Carefully chosen photographs support the information in the engaging text, while readers won't forget the important facts they learn in "Did You Know?" boxes throughout the volume.

Native American art encompasses a multitude of crafts, including rugs, baskets, pottery, and wood carvings. Creativity had no limits in native America. Fortunately, many artifacts and remnants exist which showcase the boundless ingenuity of past as well as modern-day artists, who continue the time-honored traditions of their people. This valuable volume, a support to cultural studies, highlights stunning artwork of various native peoples, accompanied by fascinating facts about the process of creating each impressive piece.

The Cherokee is the largest native tribe in the United States today. Their history dates back 15,000 years, when their ancestors made the long trek to North America from Asia. Readers will find out where the Cherokee originally settled, where and why they migrated, and what happened when European settlers encroached on Cherokee land, with special attention to the infamous Trail of Tears march of 1838-1839. This valuable account makes note of the Cherokee people's extraordinary resilience in rebuilding their culture on reservations and beyond, despite great obstacles.

As the easternmost tribe of the Iroquois Confederacy, the Mohawk people were called the "keepers of the eastern door." Their villages were sustained by hunting, fishing, and agriculture, and their people lived in communal dwellings called longhouses. Their lives changed forever with the arrival of European settlers. Readers will learn the history of the Mohawk, including their involvement with the Iroquois Confederacy and their roles in the French and Indian War as well as the American Revolution. The contributions of the Mohawk to modern society, such as the building of the Empire State Building, may surprise readers and encourage them to find out more about this amazing tribe.

The Shoshone people's history is forever tied to the period known as westward expansion in the United States. Occupying lands in present-day Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, California, and Nevada, the Shoshone tribe lived in western North America for hundreds of years before white settlers were drawn there by land and gold. In fact, most Shoshone never encountered a white person until the 1800s! Readers are introduced to the Shoshone people through their history and culture. Full-color photographs and historic images highlight their nomadic lifestyle, and fact boxes add interesting detail to curriculum-supporting content.

Native Americans hunted, fished, farmed, gathered, and raised animals for food. Depending on where they lived, this meant one tribe's diet could be vastly different from another tribe's. Food is always an attention-grabbing topic, and readers will find this book especially interesting as they learn about the culinary dishes and traditions of a variety of peoples across America. Fact boxes offer additional information and contribute to the eye-catching layout.

The remarkable Cheyenne have adapted to many changes throughout their history. In the 1700s, they shifted from an agricultural lifestyle to one focusing on hunting buffalo on the Great Plains. They had to adapt again in the 1870s after they were forced onto reservations. Readers will be introduced to the rich culture of the Northern and Southern Cheyenne through fascinating facts about their language, tribal societies, traditional clothing, and life on the reservations then and now. Historic photographs and colorful maps support the valuable insights into this important native people.

Most native peoples live in modern homes today, but years ago, they lived in vastly different dwellings. These inventive buildings were constructed of available natural resources, such as wood, grass, and adobe bricks, without the use of machinery we rely on today. Readers will appreciate the vivid photographs that accompany the interesting text and surprising fact boxes in this indispensable volume, beneficial to any elementary social studies classroom.

The Hopi village of Oraibi was settled around AD 1050, making it the oldest continuously inhabited village in the United States. The Hopi had to be a resilient people to survive in the hot deserts of the Southwest. Today, people are captivated with Hopi culture, which has endured despite years of forced assimilation. Historic photographs and descriptive text aid readers in entering the world of the traditional Hopi, with spotlights on ceremonies, rituals, housing, and fashion. Hopi history and modern life further make this volume a valuable addition to any social studies collection.