Native American Tribes

Before European contact, the Americas had civilization. It was home to a diverse population with many unique cultures.  There are various Native American tribes. Here is a general outline of the ethnic groups who were the first to settle North America.

Aleut 

The Aleut settled in southwestern Alaska. They were mostly hunters and fisherman who engaged in business with Russian fur traders. However, there was still tension with the Russians who sought to exploit the resources of  the Aleuts. 

 Siksika (BlackFoot)

The Siksika were nomadic people. They lived in the Plains of  America. The Siksika also were engaged in agriculture growing tobacco. 

Apache and Arapaho 

The Apache lived in areas of  Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. Through out their history they had a long tradition of a warrior culture. At certain periods they were at war with the Comanche tribe. The Arapaho were based in the Plains (mostly Colorado and Wyoming). They also shared a warrior culture. 

Cherokee

The Cherokee lived in Alabama, the Carolinas,Georgia, and Tennessee. They had an advance understanding of agriculture. Their people could have been in the area for millenia.

Cheyenne

The Cheyenne were based in the Great Lakes area of the US. They were not nomadic, but were driven out by white settlers. They would continue to live on the Plains. 

Chickasaw and Choctaw 

The Chickasaw settled Mississippi. They mostly lived in the northern portion of the state. The Choctaw also lived in Mississippi, but also settled in Alabama as well. The Choctaw were mostly farmers. 

Comanche 

The Comanche were a unified tribe, but fell under twelve sub-nations. Their people resided in Wyoming around the Platte River. 

Cree

The Cree resided mostly in Canada and the Plains of the United States. They were engaged in the fur trade and did business with European settlers. The Cree are divided into eight different tribe groups. 

Muscogee (Creek) and  Apsaalooke (Crow)

The Creek were organized in a fifty band confederacy. This confederacy was centered around Georgia and Alabama. The Crow were hunters who also grew tobacco. They were based in the Plains.

Delaware 

The Delaware tribe was based in the Eastern Woodlands. This tribe was small in population and has struggled to get federal recognition. Their architecture was unique, utilizing bark covered structures. 

Salish (Flathead)

The Salish and Kootenai were banded together in a confederacy. Originally this tribe lived in western Montana. They would later spread out to the Rocky Mountains and out to the Plains. The major reason for this migration was to hunt buffalo. 

Hopi and Wyandot (Huron)

The Hopi lived in Arizona. Their system of inheritance was matrilineal . Property was passed through the mother. Most of the Hopi population were near the Painted Desert. The Wyandot were spread out between Canada, Kansas, and Michigan. 

Inuit (Eskimo)

The Inuits were long time travelers. Their population can be found in Alaska to as far as Greenland. They learned to master the northern circumpolar region by becoming skilled hunters and navigators. Igloos were a form of domicile that provided heat and safety . The Kayak was also developed to meet transportation needs and brave a harsh arctic environment. 

Iroquois 

The Iroquois consisted of five nations in a confederacy. This included the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga,Cayuga, and  Seneca. These tribes resided New York and Canada.  Their model of governance went on to influence America's system of government. 

Kikapoo

The Kikapoo were based in Wisconsin and later pushed  to the west. This forced removal caused a change in their culture. They would eventually come into conflict with the Comanche. 

Kiowa 

The Kiowa had a polytheistic religion. The elements of  Earth contained spirits in their theological perspective. They resided in Oklahoma, but had expeditions far into South America. 

Myaamiaki (Miami)

This group was based in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan. They were hunters, but also farmers. The buffalo was the main animal of choice to hunt. Not all of the Myaamiaki get federal recognition. 

Navaho and Nez Perce 

The Navaho were a people from Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. Their weaving works were highly artistic. They also had advanced skills in metal work. The Nez Perce lived in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.. During the 19th century mass forced removal of their people was ordered by the US government. 

Narragansett

The Narragansett settled Rhode Island. They built permanent housing known as wigwams. They were hunters as well as farmers. 

Osage and Ojibwa 

The Osage were a tribe from a Ohio. The Ojibwa were residing around Lake Superior. 

Ottawa 

The Ottawa were nomadic. However, most of their travelling occurred during seasonal changes. Their journey of migration would take them from the Great Lakes and into Ontario. 

Pawnee and Lakota (Sioux) 

The Pawnee and Lakota were in conflict at various points in history. The Pawnee moved north from South of the Great Plains. The Lakota were based in the northern plains and this brought them into conflict. White settlers would use this tension to divide and conquer these two tribes. 

Seminole 

The Seminole were the first to settle Florida. The Seminole had a total of eight clans.  The clan acted as an extended family unit. As a Seminole you were expected to marry out side your clan. 

Shawnee

The Shawnee were native to Ohio, until white invasion. They were forced to flee into Kentucky and West Virginia. They were mostly hunters. 

Yaqui 

They were a people that had a long ancient history. Yaqui also were a people who valued a warrior culture. They resided in northern Mexico. 

Utes

The Utes people ruled most of Colorado and New Mexico. A majority of the population were hunter gatherers. However, they did engage in farming and planed beans, corn, and squash.