Native Americans

Who were the Native Americans?

Native Americans were the first peoples to live on the American continent. They were already living diverse, successful lives when the first Europeans arrived in the seventeenth century.

How many Native American tribes were there?

There were over 500 tribes. Those that lived on the Great Plains included the Sioux, the Apache, the Pawnee, and the Cheyenne.

What did Native Americans believe about the land?

The Native Americans believed the land was sacred, and often called it 'mother'. They believed it was a living thing, and they wanted to live in harmony with the land. They believed that no-one could own the land, and most tribes believed it should not be disturbed for farming.

• ❖ An example of the Native American respect for the land is the Lakota Sioux, who saw the Paha Sapa (Black Hills of South Dakota) as particularly sacred. They believed that their tribe originated in its caves.

What were some of the Native Americans' religious beliefs?

The Native Americans had some specific religious beliefs.

• ❖ They thought that spirits could guide them through 'vision quests'. Boys received a spirit animal when they reached puberty.
• ❖ They believed they could enter the spirit world by performing dances.
• ❖ Some personal items were 'charged' with spirits. Wearing these would bring luck or protection.

Why were circles important to Native Americans?

Circles were sacred to Native Americans, who believed they have spiritual significance. They believed that life moves in a circle from birth to death and they believed that circles in nature, such as the sun and moon, are important. Tribal councils sat in circles, and the tipi was built into a circle, to acknowledge the importance of the shape.

What did Native Americans believe about nature?

Native Americans believed that everything in nature has a spirit, so it was important to respect nature and to live in harmony with it.

What roles did Native Americans have within the tribe?

People's roles within the tribe depended on age and gender.

• ❖ Women married, had children, looked after their families, owned and maintained the tipi, and processed the buffalo. They were highly respected for this vital role.
• ❖ Men hunted, and provided for their wives and children. They led the tribe and took part in tribal ceremonies. They were also in charge of fighting.
• ❖ The elderly were well looked after by their families. However, if they felt they had become a burden, they sometimes went away from the tribe voluntarily, to die from exposure.
• ❖ Children were held in very high regard and were rarely punished. They were expected to behave well and learn from their elders.

Why did Native Americans fight?

Native Americans fought other tribes for status or for hunting areas, or they raided others to steal horses. The Sioux were considered the most warlike of all the tribes.

How did Native Americans fight?

There were a number of main features of Native American warfare.

• ❖ Native Americans would attack and retreat, using ambush as the main fighting tactic. Brotherhoods took this on as their main role. They would only attack if they thought they would win. If they began to lose they would run away.
• ❖ Warriors demonstrated their bravery by 'counting coup' on someone from another tribe. A warrior had to attempt to touch an enemy with a coup stick, and then get away. The most skilled could do this without the enemy or himself being injured or killed.
• ❖ If a Native American killed another warrior, he could remove the top of his scalp and keep it as a trophy.

How were Native American tribes organised?

Tribes were organized in the folowing 5 ways.

• ❖ Each tribe was divided into 'bands' that worked together to survive.
• ❖ Each band could be as small as 20 or as large as several hundred people.
• ❖ Each summer, many bands might meet at a tribal gathering.
• ❖ Comanches met as a tribe a lot. Members could move between bands if they wished, as often as they wished.
• ❖ The Pawnee considered each band to be a separate village.

What was the biggest Native American tribe?

The Sioux was the largest tribe. It contained the sub-tribes of the Lakota, the Nakota and the Dakotas. The Lakota was so large it also had sub-tribes within it.

Who was the leader of a band in Native American tribes?

The most popular, most powerful and most successful members of a band were elected as the band's chief. A tribe could have lots of chiefs, each with a different role.

What were the different leaders of a band in the Native American tribes?

Depending on the needs of the tribe, they would have more or fewer chiefs. There were 3 popular types of leaders in a band.

• ❖ The War Chief.
• ❖ The Spiritual Chief.
• ❖ The Negotiation Chief, dealing with negotiations with other tribes.

How was the chief of a band chosen in the Native American tribes?

In Native American culture, reputation and power were typically gained with hunting or combat skills, and those who had gained a reputation could be chosen as chiefs.

What was the band chief's main responsibility in the Native American tribes?

A chief's main role was to make decisions for the band - usually on where they should move to, and where they should set up camp. Often the band had a council to make decisions, which was led by the chief.

What was the role of band elders in a Native American tribe?

Elders were wise people, who taught the culture and values in of the society to the younger members of the tribe, in order for their traditions and practices to continue.

What was the role of the band's council in Native American tribes?

The band's council would advise the chief in order to help him make decisions.

What are the names of some famous Native American chiefs?

Chiefs gained fame usually through wars with White Americans. Examples of famous chiefs are:

• ❖ Red Cloud.
• ❖ Sitting Bull.
• ❖ Crazy Horse.

What were brotherhoods in Native American culture?

Brotherhoods were an important part of Native American tribal culture.

• ❖ Brotherhoods were groups of men from the tribe or band. There could be many brotherhoods within the tribe or group.
• ❖ Members of brotherhoods taught the skills of warfare to the younger members of the tribe. They also helped with the buffalo hunts.
• ❖ Men could only join a brotherhood if they had proven themselves brave and skillful warriors.
• ❖ Examples of brotherhoods in the Lakota Sioux included the Crow Owners, the White Horse Riders, and the Strong Hearts.