Native Americans were proud people. They managed to live in the wilderness, survive hard times, and make a good life for themselves. This unit study will look into the daily life of a Native American and the different tribes, some of which still exist today.
Who are Native Americans?
Native Americans broke themselves into tribes to tell who belonged together. Tribes are much like our families today, including extended family. They lived together, traveled together, and protected each other. Some of the more popular tribes included:
- Iroquois. Inhabited the northeastern region of the United States.
- Cherokee. Inhabited what is now North Carolina.
- Seminole. Inhabited what is now Florida.
- Sioux. Inhabited the Great Plains.
- Apache. Inhabited the southwestern region of the United States.
Learn more about tribes and answer the following questions using your research skills. Explain your answers in full sentences.
- How did Indians find food?
- What kinds of houses did the Iroquois live in? How about the Apache?
- Why do you think Indians believed in spirits as much as they did?
- How did Indians acquire the use of horses?
- Were Indians really farmers?
Native American Homes
Website Check: Visit Native Americans to learn more about Indian homes in different regions of the United States.
Native American Crafts
Since Indians did not have stores to buy things from, they relied on what resources and materials they did have to make their own things. Indian children enjoyed making their own toys. See if you can make a toy just like they did!
Corn Husk Doll
Materials:
- Husks from one or two ears of corn
- Kitchen knife (adult supervision)
Directions:
- Cut the cobs off two pieces of corn and carefully remove the husk. Save the hair. Place the husks in sunlight for 2 days to dry the husks completely.
- Soak the husks for 10 minutes in warm water. This will soften it up.
- Bundle up the thin end of 6 leaves around the hair, slick side of leaves inward, and tie tightly.
- Peal the leaves back to form the head. The hair should sprout up in the middle, if done correctly. Tie the neck area very tightly.
- Braid three strips of a leaf into a 6-inch piece for the arms.
- Braid two more lengths in the same way for the two legs.
- Put the arms under neck and insert rolled leaf to fill out and form the body. Tie at the waist area tightly.
- Insert the legs and secure by tying two leaves front to back. Trim away the excess below waist.
- Wrap and tie one or two strips around top of legs to form some hips.
Native American Food
Some Indian tribes were known to be hunters, while others were farmers. Either way, they managed to eat well in most cases. Try this delicious recipe that comes from the Navajo tribe.
Corn Stew
Ingredients:
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup dried corn
- 1 pound beef stew meat
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Directions:
- In a saucepan, combine water and corn and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to simmer. Continue cooking for 2 minutes.
- Remove the from heat, cover, and let stand for several hours.
- Return to a boiling state, then simmer for an additional 1/2 hour. Keep the stew covered.
- Add the remaining ingredients.
- Simmer, covered, until tender, about 1-1/2 hours.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Field Trip Opportunity
See if there is an Indian Reservation near where you live. You can learn a lot from the native people themselves and see how they really worked, played, and survived.
Native American Activities
Print and complete the word search puzzle and maze below for some more fun!
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