Who are the American Indians?

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, 4.3 million people (1.5 %) in the U.S. reported that they are American Indian or Alaska Native.  They have made a significant impact on this land and what it is today.  Without their help, colonists would not have survived.  It is important to recognize who they are and what they have done. Look at this population map below of Native Americans by state according to the 1990 U.S. Census.

(http://www.great-lakes.net/teach/history/native/graphics/statpopulation.gif).

To begin our research, be sure to print the Investigation Journal and follow along as indicated. Also print the US map from the Resources section below or http://www.eduplace.com/ss/maps/usa.html.  You will color in each tribal territory on the map as we research their locations.

First let's start with some basic Native American knowledge and terms.  Click on the EL Civics link, read, and answer the questions in your journal.  http://elcivics.com/american-indian-tribes.html

If you come across a term that you don't know, and can't figure it out based on the context, click on http://kids.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/english and type the word into the field.

To learn more about the Bering Strait, please read this information and look at the map. Write in your Investigation Journal. http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/bering.htm

Now that we've seen an overview of the Native Americans, it's time to look at some various tribes in depth to investigate who the Native Americans are.

TRIBE A:

Let's start with the Cherokee Indians.

Please investigate (http://www.bigorrin.org/cherokee_kids.htm) and write in your Investigation Journal.  Then color the areas of the US map that have been Cherokee territory in RED.

Read this journal entry by 9 year old, Samuel Cloud while traveling on the Trail of Tears: http://www.cherokeehistory.com/samuel.html

TRIBE B:

Read about the Inuit Tribe: 

http://www.heritage.nf.ca/aboriginal/inuit.html 

http://nativeamericans.mrdonn.org/arctic/inuit.html

Read about Igloos: http://people.howstuffworks.com/igloo1.htm.  

Color the areas of the US map that have been Inuit territory in BLUE.

TRIBE C:

Read about the Navajo Nation:

http://nativeamericans.mrdonn.org/southwest/navajo.html

Watch this video (remember to put on your headphones!)

http://www.havefunwithhistory.com/movies/navajoAstronomers.html

Color the areas of the US map that have been Navajo territory in GREEN.

TRIBE D:

Read about the Pueblo Indians:

http://www.bigorrin.org/pueblo_kids.htm

http://nativeamericans.mrdonn.org/southwest/pueblo.html

Be sure to look at this link that has pictures of their special houses: http://www.native-languages.org/houses.htm#pueblo.

Color the areas of the US map that have been Pueblo territory in BROWN.

TRIBE E:

Read about the Shoshone Indians:

http://www.bigorrin.org/shoshone_kids.htm

Read about Sacajawea and her contribution to exploration:

http://montanakids.com/history_and_prehistory/lewis_and_clark/sacagawea.htm

Color the areas of the US map that have been Shoshone territory in PURPLE.

PowerPoint Presentation: Choose an American Indian Tribe.  Use your Investigation Journal and the websites above to gather information for your PowerPoint presentation.  Use the PowerPoint template below under Resources. You will be graded on 1) content, 2) organization, and 3) oral presentation of material.