Native Americans Overview

Native Americans: Overview

  • Indigenous people of the Americas, including American Indians and Alaska Natives.

  • Estimated population in the U.S. (2009): > 5 million, primarily west of the Mississippi.

Historical Context

  • Arrival in North America: 20,000 to 50,000 years ago.

  • Major tribes: Cherokees, Chickasaws, Choctaws, Creeks, Seminoles (Southeast); Iroquois (Northeast); Pueblo (Southwest).

  • Population decline due to European diseases and conflicts (25% extinction of ethnic groups).

Current Demographics

  • Many Native Americans live outside reservations in urban areas (60% by 2000).

  • Largest populations in California, Oklahoma, and urban centers like NYC, LA, Phoenix.

Socioeconomic Status

  • Economic decline post-European expansion; slow recovery since WWII.

  • Poverty rate (2012): 26%, double the national average.

  • Median family income (American Indians/Alaska Natives): $37,353.

Worldview

  • Core belief: Harmony; integrated spirituality, social life, and physical needs.

  • Focus on caring for the Earth and personal autonomy.

Religion

  • Varied among tribes, integral to life and well-being.

  • Some rejections of Christian conversion; retention of native values in many groups.

Family Structure

  • Extended family as primary social unit; high child and elder respect.

  • Generally matrilineal systems; men as providers, women manage domestic affairs.

Traditional Health Beliefs and Practices

  • Health linked to nature; illness from imbalances, with spiritual implications.

  • Traditional medicine emphasizes holistic approaches and restoration.

Traditional Food Habits

Common Ingredients

  • Key staples: corn, beans, and squash.

  • Diets influenced by geography; indigenous foods include a variety of fruits, vegetables, and proteins.

Foods Introduced by Europeans

  • Acceptance of new foods: apples, carrots, and livestock; transformation of diet.

Regional Variations

  • Northeast: Iroquois and Powhatan; abundance of crops and seafood.

  • South: Diverse seafood and game; influence on staples like grits and stew.

  • Plains: Nomadic bison hunters; reliance on jerky and wild plants.

  • Southwest: Corn-centric diets; mix of farming and gathering.

  • Northwest & Alaska: Focus on fish and wild plants; coping with extreme environments.

Summary

  • Native Americans, arriving between 20,000-50,000 years ago, adapted to diverse environments.

  • Cultural and dietary practices shaped by both indigenous and introduced resources.