Featured Native American Cultures
We (native-languages.org) currently have online language materials for more than 150 Indian peoples of North America, and are adding more information on the native languages of Central and South America as well. In addition to this language information, we have carefully collected and organized links to many different aspects of native life and culture, with an emphasis on American Indians as a living people with a present tense. American Indian history is interesting and important, but Indians are still here today, too, and we have tried to feature modern writers as well as traditional legends, contemporary art as well as museum pieces, and the issues and struggles of today as well as the tragedies of yesterday. Suggestions for new links are always welcome.
Native peoples showcased on our site (www.native-languages.org) so far include:
Abenaki Indians: The Abenaki Indian people have been native New Englanders for millennia but are still
questing for recognition from their neighborsAchumawi Culture: Native people of Northern California, the Achumawi are known for their fine grass basketryAlabama Indian Culture: The state of Alabama was named for these Indians, but few of them live there today--like other native peoples of the Southeast, the Alabamas were moved to OklahomaAleut Indians: The Aleut people are coastal Native Alaskans known for their seamanship and marine hunting skillAlgonquian Peoples: The native cultures and languages of the many Algonquian Indian nationsAlgonquin Indians: Only one of many Native American peoples called "Algonquian" by anthropologists,the Algonquins live in the Ontario/Quebec area of CanadaAlsea Indians: One of many small Native American groups of Oregon who merged onto the Siletz ReservationApache Culture: The Apache Nation is best known for their military resistance against the Americans, but thereis much more to Apache Indian culture than fightingArapaho Indian Culture: Plains Indians originally, the Arapaho Indian nation was split in half by American conquestArawak Indian Culture: Native people of the Caribbean and the South American coast, the Arawaks werethe Indian tribe first encountered by Columbus' expedition.Arikara Indian Culture: Members of the Mandan-Hidatsa-Arikara Indian nation, the Arikaras are traditionallytraders and corn farmers.Assiniboine/Nakota: Close relatives of the Sioux, the Assiniboines are native people of Montana and western CanadaAtakapa Indians: This native culture of Louisana is best-known for its contributions to zydeco musicAtsugewi Culture: Native people of Northern California, the Atsugewi are known for their fine grass basketryAttikamekw Indian Culture: This little-known Native Canadian people has preserved their culture fiercelyAymara Culture: The Aymara Indians are Andean native people similar to, but distinct from, the Incans and their descendantsBannock Indians: An offshoot of the Paiute tribe, the Bannocks have since merged with their allies the ShoshonesBeaver Indians: Calling themselves the Dane-Zaa, these northern Athabaskans are distant relatives of the NavajoBella Coola Indians: Also known as the Nuxalk, this Northwest Coast Indian tribe made their living by fishing.Beothuks (Red Indians): One of the few truly extinct Native American cultures, the Beothuk were theoriginal inhabitants of NewfoundlandBiloxi Indians: This southern Siouan tribe was known for their sun worshipBlackfoot People: Four tribes make up this powerful nation: the Blackfeet in Montana and theSiksika, Piikani, and Kainai in AlbertaCaddo Indians: Native people of the Southern Plains, the Caddo people barely survived a terriblesmallpox epidemic in the 16th centuryCarrier and Babine-Wetsuwiten culture: These subarctic First Nations of Canada are distant relatives of the NavajoCatawba Indians: One of the few American Indian nations to remain in the Southeast, many Catawba peoplestill live in South Carolina todayCayuga Indians: One of the Indian cultures of the Iroquois Confederacy, native people of New York StateCherokee Indians: No, your great-grandmother was NOT a Cherokee princess; come learn about us anywayCheyenne Indians: Plains Indians originally, the Cheyenne Indian nation was split in half by American conquestChickasaw Indians: Like the other southeastern Indian peoples known as the "Five Civilized Tribes," theChickasaw people were forced to move to Oklahoma along the Trail of TearsChinook Indians: Once one of the most powerful Native American peoples of the west coast, the ChinookIndian culture has influenced many other native peoplesChoctaw Indians: Like the other southeastern Indian cultures known as the "Five Civilized Tribes," theChoctaw people were forced to move to Oklahoma along the Trail of TearsChumash Indians: This Native American culture of California is known for their ceremonial rock paintingsCoeur d'Alene Indians: The Coeur d'Alene are a Native American people of the Plateau region who traditionally livedas fishermenComanche Indians: Originally an offshoot of the Shoshone Nation, the Comanches ruled much of the Southern PlainsCoquille Tribe: One of several small native cultures of Oregon, pushed together by colonial pressuresCoushatta Indians: Most Coushattas were moved to Oklahoma like other native cultures of the Southeast,but some Coushatta people still live in a traditional community in LouisianaCree: The most widespread Native American nation today, spanning Canada from the Rocky Mountainsto the Atlantic OceanCrow Indians: Distant relatives and frequent adversaries of the Sioux, the Crow Indian people still live in the NorthernPlains todayDakota/Lakota People: The Sioux peoples are the most famous and least-understood American Indian culture in theUnited States todayEel River Tribes: These small Athabaskan tribes of California were nearly destroyed by the Gold RushFox and Sac Indians: The Sac took in Fox survivors of a French massacre in the 1700's and the two native nationshave been together ever sinceGros Ventre Indians: Kinfolk of the Arapaho, the Gros Ventre people call themselves A'ananinGwich'in Indians: An Athabaskan Indian culture of Alaska, the Gwichins relied on the caribou herdsHaida Indians: Native people of Alaska, the Haidas are known for their impressive totem poles.Havasupai, Hualapai, and Yavapai Indians: Three closely related Indian cultures of the Grand Canyon areaHidatsa Indians: Plains Indians, the Hidatsa Indian culture depended on both buffalo huntingand the corn harvestHopi Indians: Native people of Arizona, known for their kachina dances and artwork.Illinois Indians (Illini): The Illini have not survived as a nation, but their descendants live in Oklahoma to this dayInnu Indian Culture: Montagnais and Naskapi Innu people speak differing languages but share history and traditionsInuit: The Inuit are not Native American people, but they are neighbors and their languageis similarly endangeredIoway Indians: Together with their kinfolk the Otoe and Missouri, the Ioway Indian people farmed the landand hunted the buffalo herdsIroquois Confederacy: The Native American cultures of the Haudenosaunee LeagueKansa Indians: Plains Indians, the Kansa native culture depended on both buffalo huntingand the corn harvestKickapoo People: The Kickapoo fled from Illinois to Texas and Mexico to protect their native cultureKiowa Indians: Plains Indians, the Kiowa Indian culture depended on both buffalo huntingand the corn harvestKwakiutl Indians: Native people of the Canadian West Coast, the Kwakiutls are known for their impressive totem poles.Lenni Lenape: The Lenape (or Delaware) are considered by other Indian cultures the eldest of the eastern tribesLumbee People: Descendants of the native cultures that took in the Roanoake settlers at CroatanMaidu Indians: Native people of California, the Maidu are well-known for their basketry art.Makah Indians: The Makah Indian tribe made their living as whalers and fishermen.Maliseet Indians: One of the native peoples of the Wabanaki Confederacy, whose home is the Canadian MaritimesMandan Indians: Plains Indians, the Mandan culture depended on both buffalo huntingand the corn harvestMenominee Indian Culture: Named for the wild rice they cultivated, the Menominees are original natives of WisconsinMetis Indians: Descendants of French traders and American Indians, the Metis people havea unique identity and creole languageMiami Indians: The Miami people hail from Indiana, not Florida (Miami University is named in their honor)Miccosukee Indians: This small tribe of northern Florida is best-known for its role in forming the powerfulSeminole NationMi'kmaq People: One of the native cultures of the Wabanaki Confederation, whose home is the Canadian MaritimesMissouria Indians: Together with their kinfolk the Iowa and Otoe, the Missouria Indian people farmed the landand hunted the buffalo herdsMiwok Indians: Native people of California, the Miwoks are well-known for their basketry art.Mohawk Indians: One of the Indian cultures of the Iroquois League, native people of New York StateMohegan Nations: The term "Mohegan" actually refers to several originally distinct American Indian cultures,including the Pequots, Montauks, Narragansetts, Niantics, Nipmucs, and ShinnecocksMohican People: The Mohicans are not, contrary to popular belief, extinct, but they were forcibly evictedfrom New York by the US governmentMontauk Indian Tribe: One of the Algonquian Indian tribes of New England later grouped together as MoheganMunsee Nation: Kinfolk of the Lenape, the Munsee were driven to Wisconsin and Ontario by colonial expansionMuskogee Creek Indians: Like the other southeastern Indian cultures known as the "Five Civilized Tribes," theCreek people were forced to move to Oklahoma along the Trail of TearsNanticoke Indians: The Nanticoke people were known for sheltering escaped slaves, some of whom married into the tribeNarragansett Indians: One of many American Indian cultures called 'Mohegan,' the Narragansett had a distinctlanguage and identityNatchez Indians: Native people of Louisiana, the Natchez were sun-worshippersNavajo Indians: The largest Native American group in the United States, the Navajos are renowned for their weaving artsNez Perce: Best known for their eloquent leader Chief Joseph, the Nez Perce were originally fishermanwho shifted to a buffalo culture after horses were introduced to North AmericaNiantic Indian Tribe: One of the Algonquian Indian tribes of New England later grouped together as MoheganNipmuc Indian Tribe: One of the Algonquian Indian tribes of New England later grouped together as MoheganNisga'a and Gitxsan Indians: Two closely related Native American peoples of the Northwest CoastNooksack Indians: This Indian culture of the Washington coast was known for their fishing skill.Nootka Indians: Also known as the Nuu-chah-nulth, this Northwest Coast Indian tribe made their living by fishing.Ohlone Indians: Also known as the Costanoans, these are the native people of the San Francisco Bay area.Ojibwe Indians: Known variously as the Ojibway, Chippewa, and Anishinaabe, this is one of the largestand most powerful Native American nationsOmaha Indians: The Omaha tribe spent part of the year in settled villages, and part of the yearfollowing the buffalo herds across the Great PlainsOneida Indians: One of the Indian cultures of the Iroquois League, native people of New York StateOnondaga Indians: One of the Indian cultures of the Iroquois League, native people of New York StateOsage Indians: Plains Indians, the Osage culture depended on both buffalo huntingand the corn harvestOtoe Indians: Together with their kinfolk the Ioway and Missouria, the Otoe Indian people farmed the landand hunted the buffalo herdsOttawa Indians: The Native American culture who gave their name to Canada's capital cityPassamaquoddy Indians: One of the native peoples of the Wabanaki Confederacy, original inhabitants of MainePaiute Indians: Wide-ranging people, the Paiutes had a great influence on the Native American culturesof the Great Basin and Plateau.Pawnee Indians: Fierce warriors who were agriculturally advanced, the Pawnee Indian peoplequickly became allies of the American settlersPenobscot Indians: One of the native peoples of the Wabanaki Confederacy, original inhabitants of MainePequot Indian Tribe: One of the Algonquian Indian tribes of New England later grouped together as MoheganPima and Papago Indians: Two closely related Native American cultures of Arizona, known as O'odhamin their own languagePocumtuck: A subtribe of the Mohican Indian people, the Pocumtucks had their own independent leadershipPomo Indians: Native people of California, the Pomos are well-known for their basketry art.Ponca Indians: The Ponca Nation is best-known for its successful lawsuit establishingthe human rights of native peoplePotawatomi People: Allies of the Ojibwe and Ottawa, some Potawatomi were deported to Oklahomaand others still live in the Great Lakes RegionPowhatan Indians: Best-known as Pocahontas' tribe, the Powhatan Empire was historically more important forits military dominancePuget Sound Salish Indians: There were originally dozens of Coast Salish tribes in the Puget Sound area; some of thesurvivors include the Skagit, Swinomish, Snohomish/Tulalip, Sauk-Suiattle, Duwamish, Muckleshoot, Nisqually, Puyallup, Sahewamish, Skykomish, Snoqualmie, Suquamish, Stillaguamish, and Squaxin tribesQuapaw Indians: Plains Indian people, the Quapaw culture was also known as the Akansea --and gave that name to the state of ArkansasQuechan Indians: Also known as the Yuma, one of several Native American cultures of the Sonoran desert.Quileute Indians: The Quileute Indian tribe made their living as whalers and fishermen.Quinault Indians: This Indian culture of the Washington coast was known for their fishing skill.Salinan Indians: Original people of the Monterey area, the Salinans were devastated by the Gold Rush and its aftermathFlathead, Kalispel, and Spokane tribes: The Salish people of the northwestern PlateauSekani Indians: An Athabaskan Indian culture of subarctic Canada, known for their survival in a harsh climateSeminole Indians: Originally an alliance of Creek, Miccosukee and other southeastern Indian tribes, the SeminoleNation became known for taking in escaped African-American slavesSeneca Indians: One of the Indian cultures of the Iroquois Confederacy, native people of New York StateSeri Indians: Native people of the Sonoran desert in Mexico, who hold the sea turtle sacredShasta Indians: A Native American group of northern California and Oregon, who made their living as fishermenShawnee Indians: The nomadic Shawnee people made settlements from New York State to Georgia,but were forcibly reunited when the Americans sent them to an Oklahoma reservationShinnecock Indian Tribe: One of the Algonquian Indian tribes of New England later grouped together as MoheganShoshone Indians: The Shoshone people are most famous for their role in the Lewis and Clark expedition(Sacagawea was a Shoshone chief's sister)Shuswap Indians: A Northwest Coast Indian culture of British Columbia, who made their living as fishermenSlavey Indians: An Athabaskan Indian culture of subarctic Canada, known for their survival in a harsh climateSquamish Indians: A Salishan Indian group of the Pacific Northwest, known as salmon fishermenStoney Indians: Relatives of the Sioux, the Stoneys are native people of western CanadaStraits Salish Indians: There were originally many small Salishan Indian tribes in the Northern Straits area of Washington and British Columbia; some of thesurvivors include the Saanich, Samish, Songish, Lummi, Sooke, and Semiahmoo tribesTanana Indians: An Athabaskan Indian culture of Alaska, the Tananas relied on the caribou herdsTarahumara Indians: Native people of northern Mexico, known for their distance runners and gentle waysThompson Indians: An Athabaskan Indian culture of subarctic Canada, known for their survival in a harsh climateTillamook Tribe: One of several small Native American cultures of Oregon, pushed together by colonial pressuresTimucua Tribe: Original people of Florida, one of only a few truly extinct American Indian culturesTlingit Indians: Native people of Alaska, the Tlingits are known for their impressive totem poles.Tolowa Tribe: One of several small native cultures of Oregon, pushed together by colonial pressuresTonkawa Indians: Native people of Texas, the Tonkawas claimed descent from a mythical wolfTsimshian Culture: Native people of the Northwest Coast, known for their totem poles and seafaring canoesTsuu T'ina Indians: An Athabaskan Indian culture of subarctic Canada, known for their survival in a harsh climateTututni Tribe: One of several small native cultures of Oregon, pushed together by colonial pressuresUte: People of the Great Basin, the Ute Nation suffered through the Rocky Mountain gold rushWabanaki Indians: The Wabanaki Confederacy was a powerful alliance of east-coast Indian peoplesWampanoag: The native people who shared in the first Thanksgiving feast, the Wampanoag met a sad fateat the hands of the EnglishWappo Tribe: One of several small California Indian cultures devastated by the Gold RushWappinger: A subtribe of the Mohican Indian culture, the Wappingers had their own independent leadershipWashoe Tribe: One of several small California Native cultures devastated by the Gold RushWichita Indians: Native people of the Southern Plains, the Wichita Indian culture depended on both farming andthe buffalo hunt to surviveWintu Tribe: Native people of California, the Wintu are well-known for their basketry art.Wiyot Nation: This California Indian culture was nearly wiped out by a genocidal miner during the Gold Rush eraYokuts Tribe: Originally this American Indian nation consisted of several distinct tribes, but distinctions between them wereeroded following multiple epidemics and attacks by AmericansYuchi Tribe: This Southeastern Indian culture lives together with the Creek tribe in Oklahoma todayYupik Culture: Native people of Alaska whose range extends to the islands of SiberiaYurok Nation: Kinfolk of the Wiyot, these two native peoples have nearly merged after ethnic violence against themin the 1800'sZapotec People: A native culture of Mexico, best known for their colorful weavings.Zuni Tribe: One of the Pueblo groups of the Southwest, the Zuni speak a language unlike any other in the world.Central and South American Indian Cultures: We also have some pages on Native American cultures of Central and South America. Click here to check them out
Selected Links about Native American Culture
Our site is designed to present information about American Indian peoples and their languages contextually--language by language and nation by nation. These are diverse societies deserving of individual attention, and it can be very difficult to make accurate generalizations about them as a group. However, our site is also unfinished and may be of limited use to people seeking information on a tribe we have not yet covered. For this reason, we are providing some links to the main pages of sites with information about many different Native American peoples. Hopefully if you are looking for information on an Indian culture we have not finished work on yet, these sites can provide a starting point for your search.
First Nations Histories: Historical overviews of 48 different North American Indian cultures
Native Cultures of North America: Articles on ninety different US and Canadian Indian peoples
Native American Cultures: Clickable US map with information about American Indian people in each region
Native American History and Culture : Online exhibit on native culture and history from the National Museum of the American Indian
Native American Technology: Traditional American Indian arts, crafts, weaponry, and tools
Native Web: News, articles, and links for and about American Indian people
Native American Chiefs and Leaders: Biographies of important Native American people throughout history
Native American Culture: Directory of Native American cultural resources
Native American Nations: Links about American Indian culture in different tribes
Native American Cultures: Links about American Indian culture in different tribes
Native American Culture: Links about American Indian culture in different tribes
Native American Groups: Links about Native American Indian cultures
Indigenous Native Americans: Indexed resources on Native American culture and society
Native American Language Resources: More links specifically about Amerindian languages
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Wado, miigwech, pilamaya ye, and thanks to all!
Native Languages of the Americas
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