Hunter-gatherers from Asia migrated to North America over a land bridge that connected Siberia to Alaska during an ice age approximately 30,000 years ago. As the climate warmed, ice sheets melted and sea levels rose, submerging the land bridge. Native Americans adapted to various environments across North America by developing distinct cultural practices and livelihoods based on local natural resources and conditions. Though cultural practices varied regionally, most Native American societies shared beliefs about respecting nature, not owning land, and only utilizing necessary resources.

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 riseand expose land.In the Bering straighta land bridge appeared connecting Siberia (Asia) & The Americas30,000 years ago During a period of low temperatures called an Ice Age.The world was covered in Glaciersor sheets ofice. 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 bridgeSome 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. 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 land.2. No one can own land.3. Only use what is needed(nowaste).4.Tradewas 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 West

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 goats

8. CaliforniaWeather: rainy wintershot dry summersNatural Resources:ocean/coastfoothillsvalley'sdesertsmountainsacorns, oak treesgrass, and plantsredwood treessalmon/seafood/shellfishdeer, rabbits, ducks, roots berries, pine nuts

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, pinion 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.

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

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 animals

12. South WestWeather:high temperatureslittle rain dry/aridNatural Resources:mountains, canyonsdesserts, flat top mesasrivers, little waterclay, brightly colored plants, cottoncorn, beans, squash, peppers, rabbits

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