The document discusses the origins and cultures of early Native Americans. It explains that hunter-gatherers from Asia crossed into North America via a land bridge between Siberia and Alaska around 30,000 years ago during the last ice age. As the climate warmed, sea levels rose and the land bridge disappeared, leaving early Native Americans isolated in the Americas. Over time, they adapted to different environments across North America, developing diverse cultures but also common beliefs like respect for nature and communal land ownership. The document outlines eight distinct cultural regions defined by geography and natural resources, including differences in housing, tools, clothing, and food sources for groups like those in California, the Great Plains, and the Eastern Woodlands.

1. America In The BeginningWho were the first Americans?This land bridge is known as Beringia.Animals like mammoths crossed the bridge or migrated to the America's. This caused ocean levels to drop and expose land.In the Bering straight a land bridge appeared connecting Siberia (Asia)& The Americas.30,000 years ago During a period of low temperatures called an ice ageThe 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 environmentsin 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. How did Native Americans adjust to the new environments?America In The BeginningDifferent 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 & believe in many gods.2. No one can own land.3. Only use what is needed (no waste).4. Trade was important to most societies.Living in many different parts of the Americas the Natives used the different natural resources in their own different environments for food, clothing, and shelter. What did they have in common?

4. 8 Cultural RegionsCaliforniaGreat BasinGreat PlainsSouth EastNorth West CoastPlateauEastern WoodlandsSouth WestPlateauNorthwest CoastNortheastGreat BasinCaliforniaPlainsSoutheastSouthwest

5. 8 Cultural Regions

7. North West CoastWeather: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 huntsalmon 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 roofs

8. CaliforniaWeather: rainy wintershot dry summersNatural Resources:ocean/coastfoothillsvalley'sdesertsmountainsacorns, oak treesgrass, and plantsredwood treessalmon/seafood/shellfishdeer, rabbits, ducks, roots berries, pine nuts Used Bows& arrows, snares, and nets, usedtools from antlersClothing:grass/leather aprons and skirtsShelter: 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 seedsClothing: rabbit robes in winterShelter: 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, salmonTools: woven baskets, willow digging sticks, wooden fishing platforms, nets, and spears for salmonClothing: antelope and deer hides leggings, dresses and skirts, woven hats, seed and shell designsShelter: 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 animalsTools: 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. Clothes were made of cotton that they grew. Using plants and minerals, they dyed the fabricLived 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, berriesLong House: Sturdy, log-framed houses covered with elm bark, about 20 feet wide and over 100 feet long. Several related families live in sections of the house.Skirts, capes, and moccasins were made out of deer skins.Women ground corn with wooden sticks .Men often paddled on the rivers and streams in log and bark canoes . They trapped beavers, hunted deer, bear, caught birds, and speared fish.For farming land, men burnt small sections of trees and underbrush. Women did the hoeing and planting. They planted many different types of corn, beans and squash. Made maple syrup and wooden storage canisters.

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, persimmonsLong House: Sturdy, log-framed houses covered with elm bark, about 20 feet wide and over 100 feet long. Several related families live in sections of the house.Skirts, capes, and moccasins were made out of deer skins.Women ground corn with wooden sticks .Men often paddled on the rivers and streams in log and bark canoes . They trapped beavers, hunted deer, bear, caught birds, and speared fish.For farming land, men burnt small sections of trees and underbrush. Women did the hoeing and planting. They planted many different types of corn, beans and squash. Made maple syrup and wooden storage canisters.