The first Americans crossed into North America over a land bridge that connected Asia to Alaska around 30,000 years ago during an ice age. As the ice age ended, sea levels rose and the land bridge disappeared. These early peoples adapted to different environments across North America by developing diverse tools, clothing, shelters, and ways of life to hunt, gather, and farm local resources. While cultural practices varied regionally, Native Americans universally respected nature and only used what was necessary to survive.

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 Asia and the Americas30,000 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 coveredup glaciers causing water levels to risecovering up the land bridge.Some animals died off like mammoths.Living in many different parts of the Americas the Natives needed to adjust or adaptto 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 nomadsfollowed the mammoths and spread out or migratedto 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.2. No one can own land.4. Only use what is needed(no waste).5. tradewas important to most societiesLiving in many different parts of the Americas the Natives used the different natural resourcesin their own different environments for food, clothing, and shelter. What did they have in common?

4. 8 Cultural RegionsCaliforniaGreat BasinGreat PlainsSouth EastPlateauEastern WoodlandsSouth WestNorth West Coast

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 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 nuts Used 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, cattail Tools: 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, salmonTools: 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, rabbits Large 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 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, 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, persimmons Houses were made from strips of young trees woven into a rectangular frame, then plastered with clay. These houses had pointed roofs made of leaves. Towns included many mounds, first mounds were burial sights, but others were larger, and used as platforms for temples. It took many months, even years, to build these mounds, because they moved the dirt 1 basket full at a time. Simple clothing was made of deer skin. Jewelry made of stones, shells, feathers, pearls, bones, and clay. Women used hoes made of stone, shell or animal shoulder blades. Men hunted using small blow guns, and bows and arrows.