Native Americans

Description

Young and old alike succumb to the allure of Native Americans, and the multiple and complex aspects of their cultures–from folklore to hunting skills to totem poles to clothing. Sadly, the full story of the Native American peoples will never truly be known. Many vital facts have been lost in the mists of time as the numerous tribes that roamed North America became extinct through disease or warfare with the arrival of European explorers, settlers, and missionaries. From the Pacific Northwest to the Central Plains to the Gulf Coast and the Appalachian Mountains, the Native Americans developed a wide variety of life styles dictated by the environment they inhabited. Some were hunter gatherers, others were nomads, and still others were farmers and traders. Some tribes were notoriously warlike, whereas others were friendly and cooperative with both Europeans and other Native American peoples. Probably the biggest advancement in the Native American culture was brought about by the arrival of the horse. No longer a bystander on the sidelines, the Indian hunters could move swiftly through the herds of buffalo to make their kills. Sadly, the Native Americans of today are largely relegated to reservations where living conditions can be quite harsh. Without a doubt, the heritage of North America has been valuably enriched by the proud and brave Native American peoples who made their home on the continent for thousands of years before Europeans arrived.