Native American Tribes and Environments: Southwest, Northwest, Great Basin, Plains, Northeast

Tribes of the American Southwest

Navajo, Pueblo

Where did the American Southwest tribes live?

Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Utah/Colorado

Environment of the American Southwest

Deserts, mesas, canyons, and dry mountains

Climate of the American Southwest

Hot and dry; little rainfall

Food sources in the American Southwest

Farmed corn, beans, and squash; also gathered wild plants and hunted small animals

Adaptation in the American Southwest

Used irrigation and farming techniques to grow crops in the dry environment

Tribes of the American Northwest & California

Chinook, Nez Perce

Where did the American Northwest tribes live?

Pacific Northwest, including parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and northern California

Environment of the American Northwest

Forests, rivers, mountains, and Pacific coastline

Climate of the American Northwest

Mild and very rainy

Food sources in the American Northwest

Hunted deer and other animals; fished heavily, especially for salmon; gathered berries and plants

Adaptation in the American Northwest

Used rivers and forests for food, transportation, and materials

Tribe of the Great Basin

Shoshone

Where did the Great Basin tribe live?

Nevada, Utah, and parts of surrounding states

Environment of the Great Basin

Deserts, mountains, dry valleys, and limited vegetation

Climate of the Great Basin

Dry, with hot summers and cold winters

Food sources in the Great Basin

Mostly hunted and gathered; hunted small animals and gathered roots, seeds, nuts, and berries

Farming in the Great Basin

Little farming because the environment was too dry

Adaptation in the Great Basin

Often moved around to find available food and water

Tribes of the Great Plains

Comanche, Sioux

Where did the Great Plains tribes live?

Central United States, including areas from the Dakotas down toward Texas

Environment of the Great Plains

Wide-open grasslands with few trees

Climate of the Great Plains

Hot summers, cold winters, and often unpredictable rainfall

Food sources in the Great Plains

Hunted buffalo and other animals

Farming in the Great Plains

Some groups farmed, but many Plains groups depended heavily on hunting

Adaptation in the Great Plains

Followed buffalo herds and used horses for transportation and hunting

Tribes of the American Northeast & Atlantic Seaboard

Iroquois, Algonquian

Where did the American Northeast tribes live?

Northeastern United States and parts of southeastern Canada

Environment of the American Northeast

Forests, rivers, lakes, and fertile land

Climate of the American Northeast

Four distinct seasons; warm summers and cold, snowy winters

Food sources in the American Northeast

Farmed corn, beans, and squash; also hunted deer, fished, and gathered plants

Adaptation in the American Northeast

Used forests for shelter and materials and waterways for transportation