Mr. Dowling
More Native American Cultures
To what extent do Native American cultures vary?
To find information on Native Americans of the Far North, Plateau Region or the Northwest click here.
Southeast
Cherokees and Natchez-warm, moist climates
Natchez-they would hunt, fish and farm along the fertile coast of the Gulf of Mexico
1. Ruler of Natchez=Great Sun-worshipped as a god
2. The Little Suns (family of The Great Sun)
3. Nobles
4. Honored People
5. Stinkards(Common People)-majority of the people
Membership would change-nobles had to marry stinkards
Great Corn Ceremony-took place in midsummer-celebrates the harvest and the new year.
Eastern Woodlands
Algonquins, Hurons, Iroquois, Miamis, Shawnees-lived in farming villages but also hunted for food
Lived in longhousesshared by several families-150 feet long, 20 feet wide
Women shared social and political power.
Women owned all the household property and were in charge of planting and harvesting.
Iroquois-lived mostly in New York State(The Iroquois live where"I"
live.)
Iroquois included 5 nations, each speaking different languages(COSMO):Cayuga, Onondaga, Seneca, Mohawk and Oneida
Until the late 1500s, the five nations were often at war.
1570-alliance to end the fighting-League of Iroquois-A council of 50 specially chosen tribal leaders (Sachems)-met once a year to make decisions for the league.
More information on the Iroquois