Hunter-gatherers from Asia migrated to North America over a land bridge between Siberia and Alaska around 30,000 years ago during an ice age. When the ice age ended and sea levels rose, these early Americans adapted to different environments across North, Central, and South America, developing distinct cultural practices and ways of life. Though diverse, most Native American cultures shared beliefs in animism, communal land ownership, and sustainable use of natural resources.

1. America In The BeginningWho were the first Americans?This land bridge is known as Beriniga.Animals like mammoths crossed the bridge or migrated to the America's. This caused ocean levels to riseand expose land.In the Bering straight a land bridge appeared connecting Siberia (Asia) and the Americans.30,000 years ago During a period of low temperatures called an ice age.The world was covered in glaciersor sheets of ice. How and why did they come here?

2. America In The BeginningWhat happened when they came to America?The ice age ended warming up glaciers causing water levels to rise covering up the land bridge.Some animals died off like mammoths.Living in many different parts of the Americas the Natives needed to adjust or adapt to every thing in the new surrounds that made up each of their own environmentin order to survive. How did they meet their new needs?Hunter's in Asia who moved from place to place to find food or nomads followed the mammoths and spread out or migrated to the America's.

3. America In The BeginningHow did Native Americans adjust to the new environments?Different groups in different environments developed their own beliefs and ways of life or culture. Groups in the same environments adapted similar life styles, and language creating cultural region.Many Native American have these things in common.1. Nature has a spirit and believe in many gods.2. No one can own land.3. Only use what is needed (no waste).4. Trade was important to most societiesLiving in many different parts of the Americas the Natives used the different natural in their own different natural resources environments for food, clothing, and shelter. What did they have in common?

4. 8 Cultural RegionsGreat BasinSouth EastNorth West CoastGreat PlainsCaliforniaPlateauEastern WoodlandsSouth West

5. 8 Cultural Regions

7. North West CoastUsed cedar canoes to huntFenced in salmon laying eggsused cedar to make rope, mats and basketsshell needles used wedges, sledge hammers, drills, and knifes to carve wooden masksClothing:Cedar water proof clothing like capes withdecorative shell buttons Shelter: lived near the coastCedar Long Houses with cedar bark roofsWeather:long cold winterscool summersheavy rainfallNatural Resources:ocean/beachesthick forests of fir, spruce, and cedarrugged mountainsseafood/salmondeer, moose, bear, elk, beaver, mountain goatsUsed cedar canoes to huntFenced in salmon laying eggsused cedar to make rope, mats and basketsshell needles used wedges, sledge hammers, drills, and knifes to carve wooden masks Clothing:Cedar water proof clothing like capes withdecorative shell buttons Shelter: lived near the coastCedar Long Houses with cedar bark roofs

8. CaliforniaWeather: rainy wintershot dry summersNatural Resources:ocean/coastfoothillsvalley'sdesertsmountainsacorns, oak treesgrass, and plantsredwood treessalmon/seafood/shellfishdeer, rabbits, ducks, roots berries, pine nutsUsed Bows& arrows, snares, and nets, used cooking stones to heat acorn meal tools from antlers Clothing:grass/leather aprons and skirts Shelter: Cone shaped made of redwood bark, pole, and reeds woven into mats

9. Great BasinWeather:little rainhot during the day cold at nightNatural Resources:mostly dessertlow areas surrounded by mountains at the edgeswith valleys that had seasonal lakes and streamsplants that need little water likegrasses, sagebrush, pinon trees, at the outer edges pine trees, and willowsmall animals rabbits, lizards, grasshoppers, snakes sometimes ducks , duck eggs during certain seasons seeds,berries pine nuts, roots, cattailTools: water baskets sealed with tree sapFloating duck decoys, nets, sharp sticks, flat baskets for catching seeds Clothing: rabbit robes in winter Shelter: Nomadic temporary cone shelters of willow, brush and reeds

10. PlateauWeather:long cold winterscomfortable summers Natural Resources:mountains with dense forests in areasflatter in the center with drier grass landsriversdriftwood, mud, dirt,grass and sage brushfish, antelope, deer, seedsonions, carrots, camas roots, salmon Tools: woven baskets, willow digging sticks, wooden fishing platforms, nets, and spears for salmon Clothing: antelope and deer hides leggings, dresses and skirts, woven hats, seed and shell designs Shelter: near rivers, partly under ground out of driftwood, mud, sap, and reeds

11. Great PlainsWeather:cold winters hot summersNatural Resources:mountains surrounding edgestreeless grasslands in the centereast more water and softer soilwest drier dense grassBuffalo and smaller animalsCulture:Tools: bow made of buffalo tendon, arrows, V shaped stone trap, fire, bone knives, shields, Clothing: Buffalo robes and hidesShelter: Houses called tipis

12. South WestWeather:high temperatureslittle rain dry/aridNatural Resources:mountains, canyonsdesserts, flat top mesasrivers, little waterclay, brightly colored plants, cottoncorn, beans, squash, peppers, rabbitsLarge thick walled houses made of bricks of adobe(sun baked clay). Up to 4 stories and had hundreds of rooms. (queblo) Clothes were made of cotton that they grew. Using plants and minerals, they dyed the fabric Lived near naturally flooded areas. Men dug irrigation ditches, and also built dams to hold summer rain. Women spend most the day grinding corn kernels into cornmeal. They used clay pots to cook stews

13. Eastern WoodlandsWeather:snowy winters , rainNatural Resources:rivers, ocean/coastlots of lakes and streamsForests, plants, maple trees, elm,deer, bears, beavers, birds, fishcorn, sunflowers, tobacco, vegetables,nuts, berries

14. South EastWeather:long warm humid summersmild wintersNatural Resources:rivers, ocean/coastFertile coastal plainsmountains, swampsTrees, clay, shells, corn, beans, squash, pumpkins, sunflowers, sweet potatoessquirrels, rabbits, turkeys, deer, alligators, turtles,wild rice, persimmons