Southeastern Native Southeastern Native AmericansAmericans

By: Mrs. CoatesBy: Mrs. Coates

Standards/ObjectivesStandards/Objectives

• 4-2.2– Compare the cultures of the major Native

American groups.

• At the end of this lesson you will be able to describe the everyday life, environment, and culture of the Southeastern Native Americans.

LocationLocation

• They lived East of the Mississippi River in the Southern Portion of the United States.

http://www.ahsd25.k12.il.us/curriculum/nativeamericans/index.html

http://www.ahsd25.k12.il.us/curriculum/nativeamericans/index.html

www.sciway.net/hist/indians/geo.html

Environment / VillagesEnvironment / Villages

• The environment they lived in had mountains, rivers, forests, swamps and grasses.

• Many families lived in one village.

• Villages were permanent.

• Villages were surrounded by pointed wooden poles to protect them.

HomesHomes• Their summer homes were called chickees.

– chickee = a house built to live in during warm weather. The frame was made from trees and the roof was made from palmetto leaves or grasses.

• Their winter homes were built in a rectangular shape like a regular house.– Branches and vines would be tied around

wooden poles for the frame. Mud or clay was then put on the branches and vines to cover the house. The roof was made from palmetto leaves or grasses.

http://www.ahsd25.k12.il.us/curriculum/nativeamericans/chickee.htmlhttp://www.ahsd25.k12.il.us/curriculum/nativeamericans/chickee.html

http://www.native-languages.org/houses.htm

FoodFood• The Southeastern Native Americans were

hunters-gatherers and farmers.• Hunters:

– deer, elk, bear, squirrel, birds, frogs, crayfish and fish

– Used bows/arrows, spears, blowguns, and darts (made from cane, trees, bones, and stones)

• Gathered nuts and berries.• Farmers

– Corn **, beans*, pumpkins, squash*, sunflowers*.

GovernmentGovernment

• They were governed by a council.– A council is a group of people selected to

make decisions for the tribe.– All meetings were in a Council House in the

center of the village.

• Their leaders were called chiefs. Chiefs were selected by their achievements.– Red Chief = led in times of war– White Chief = led in times of peace

http://nativeamericans.mrdonn.org/southeast/cherokee.html

CultureCulture• Southeastern Native Americans believed

in spirits that created the earth, sun, moon, and stars.

• They believed in a Great Spirit that created the world and watched over them.

• Storytelling was very important. Ancestry and traditions were told by stories.

• When you were sick, you would see a shaman (medicine man).

CeremoniesCeremonies• Booger Ceremony: held the day before a

war. Warriors would put on the booger masks they made and make fun of each other. The booger masks were the enemies. They felt that by doing this they could take away their enemies’ powers.

• Green Corn Festival: gave thanks to their gods for the food and good fortune. Held in August and lasted 4 days.

• Friendship Ceremony: held in the Fall. It was a time to forget grudges and make friendships.

THE END!THE END!

ResourcesResources

• Images: http://www.ahsd25.k12.il.us/curriculum/nativeamericans/index.html http://www.native-languages.org/houses.htmhttp://www.sciway.net/hist/indians/geo.html

Information:http://nativeamericans.mrdonn.org/southeast/cherokee.htmlIf you Lived with the Cherokee by Peter and Connie Roop