Thank you to www.native-languages.org for the following resources!
Native American Facts for Kids
Resources on American Indians for Children and Teachers
Welcome to Native Languages of the Americas! We are a non-profit organization working to preserve and promote American Indian languages. This "Facts For Kids" section was designed to provide simple online information about American Indians in an easy-to-read question and answer format. We encourage students, especially older kids, to look through our main information on American Indian tribes to get the best feel for the cultures they are studying.This website (native-languages.org may look a little bit boring to you at first glance. There are no animations, no games, no continuously loading flute music, and only a few illustrations. This is important so that our pages can load faster and work for everyone's computers, including the older computers that many American Indian kids use. Native Americans are not extinct. As of the year 2000, there are more than three million Native American people in Canada and the US combined--including more than a million children. Native American kids have real-life hopes and real-life problems, just like other kids do. They may take part in traditional Indian dances, or they may be Britney Spears fans, or both. They probably don't live in tepees, any more than non-native kids live in log cabins. And sometimes, they have to do their homework on the Internet. You are sharing this website with each other. Please be respectful neighbors.
Wado (thank you, in the Cherokee language),
Orrin Lewis and Laura Redish
Native Languages of the Americas
American Indian Tribes Fact sheets about American Indians in general
American Indians Kids FAQQuestions and answers about Native Americans in the past and present.
Native American HomesPictures and descriptions of ten different types of American Indian houses.
Native American CradleboardsPictures and facts about Native American child carriers in different tribes.
Native American WeaponsPictures and descriptions of many different types of American Indian weapons.
Native American HairstylesPictures and descriptions of traditional hairstyles in many different Native American tribes.
American Indian ClothesPhotographs of Native American Indian clothing and regalia, including special pages on Indian loincloths and headdresses.
American Indian FoodA brief introduction to Native Indian hunting, gathering, farming, and fishing techniques, with links to recipes.
Native American State NamesThe Native American origins and meanings of the names of US states.
Algonquian Indian TribesQuestions and answers about the Algonquian tribes.
Fact sheets about specific American Indian tribes
AbenakisThe Abenaki Indians have been native New Englanders for thousands of years, but are still looking for recognition from their neighbors.
AlabamasThe Native Americans who gave their name to the state of Alabama, the Alabamas have merged politically with their allies the Coushattas.
AlgonquinsOften confused with other American Indian tribes known as "Algonquians," the Algonquins live in the modern Ontario/Quebec area of Canada.
ApachesRelatives of the Navajos, the Apache Indians are best-known for their fierce military resistance against the Mexicans and Americans, under the leadership of warriors like Geronimo and Cochise.
ApalacheesOriginal people of northern Florida, the Apalachee Indians were driven west and their descendants live in Louisiana today.
ArapahosThe Arapaho Indians were originally farming people, but once horses were introduced to the Americas, they began to follow the buffalo herds like the Cheyenne and Sioux.
ArikarasDevastated by epidemics, the Arikara tribe has merged with their neighbors the Mandans and Hidatsas.
AssiniboinesRelatives of the Sioux tribes, the Assiniboines were known as big game hunters and expert traders.
AtakapasAn American Indian tribe of the Gulf Coast, the Atakapas are known today for their contributions to zydeco music.
AtikameksThe Atikamekw are a small, traditional Native American tribe that still speaks their native language and lives off the land.
BeothuksThe Beothuks or "Red Indians" were the original inhabitants of Newfoundland, Canada.Tragically, they died out in the 1800's.
BlackfootFour tribes make up this powerful Plains Indian nation: the Blackfoot (Blackfeet) in Montana and the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai in Canada.
CaddosNative Americans of Texas and the Southern Plains, the Caddo Indians were farming people known for their pottery art.
CahuillasSo-called "Mission Indians," the Cahuilla Indians are desert people of Southern California.
CalusasAlthough the Calusa Indians of southern Florida were not agricultural people, they built technologically advanced cities with windbreaks, seawalls, piers, and canal systems.
CatawbasThe Catawba were one of the few southeastern Indian tribes not deported to Oklahoma, and they have preserved their native pottery-making traditions among other customs.
CayugasMembers of the powerful Iroquois Confederacy, the Cayuga tribe are Native Americans of upstate New York.
ChemehueviOriginally an offshoot of the Paiute Indian culture, the Chemehuevis are native people of southern California.
CherokeesOriginal people of the American Southeast, most Cherokees were forcibly deported to Oklahoma along the infamous Trail of Tears.
CheyennesPlains Indians who depended on the buffalo for survival, the Cheyennes have survived several American massacres.
ChickasawsThe Chickasaws were one of several Southeast Indian tribes forced to move to Oklahoma along the Trail of Tears.
ChinooksA Native American tribe of the Pacific Northwest, the Chinook Indians were well-known as expert traders.
ChippewasAlso known as the Ojibway, Ojibwe, or Ojibwe, the Chippewa tribe are one of the largest and most powerful nations.
ChumashNative Indians of southern California, the Chumash were fishing people known for their unusual plank canoes.
ChoctawsDespite losing their homes in the infamous Trail of Tears, the Choctaw Indians gave what they had to help Irish famine victims in the 1800's, and are still admired by Irish people today.
CocopasThe Cocopa or Cocopah Indians are native people of the Sonoran desert.
Coeur d'AleneAmerican Indians of the Great Plateau, the Coeur d'Alenes were master fishermen and traders.
ComanchesKinfolk of the Shoshone, the Comanche Indians split off from the Shoshones long ago and migrated to the Southern Plains.
CoushattasAlso known as the Koasatis, the Coushattas have merged politically with their allies the Alabamas.
CreeksAlso known as the Muskogees, the Creeks were one of the most important tribes of the American southeast, but most of them were forced to relocate to Oklahoma in the 1800's.
CreesThe Cree are one of the largest native groups in North America and have had a major impact on Canadian history.
CrowsThe Crow are a northern Plains tribe, famous for their expert horsemanship and especially long hair.
CupenosOne of several California tribes known as "Mission Indians," the Cupeno people made flour and bread from acorns.
DakotasThe Dakota tribe are one of the largest and best-known Native American nations of the Great Plains.
Gros VentresThe Gros Ventre were kinfolk of the Arapaho, and called themselves A'aninin, the White Clay People.
HaidasNative Americans of the Northwest Coast, the Haida tribe is known for their huge seafaring canoes.
HavasupaisThe Havasupai tribe are original people of the Grand Canyon region.
HidatsasDevastated by epidemics, the Hidatsa tribe has merged with their neighbors the Mandans and Arikaras.
Hochunks/WinnebagosUnlike other Siouan tribes, the Hochunks never gave up their farming villages in favor of a migratory life.
HopisKnown as the Peaceful People, the Hopi Indians were expert farmers and artists.
HualapaisAlso known as the Walapais, the Hualapais are original people of the Grand Canyon area.
Hurons/WyandotsThe Wyandots, who lived on both sides of the modern US-Canadian border, were an important trading tribe.
IlliniThe state of Illinois was named after the Illini Indians, who were nearly wiped out by war in the 1700's.
InnusThe Montagnais and Naskapi have different tribal names but consider themselves part of the same Native American culture, the Innu.
IowaysTogether with their cousins the Otoe and Missouri Native Americans, the Ioways are Plains Indians who once hunted the great buffalo herds.
IroquoisThe powerful Iroquois Confederacy was known for their war prowess, but also for their government, which was one of the examples of representative democracy used as a model by America's founding fathers.
Kansas (Kaws)The Kansa Indians are the tribe after whom the state of Kansas was named.
KickapoosFiercely independant, many Kickapoo people fled all the way to Mexico rather than surrender to the Americans.
KiowasPlains Indian people, the Kiowa migrated frequently to follow the buffalo herds they depended on.
KwakiutlNative Americans of the Pacific Northwest, the Kwakiutl tribe is known for their tall totem poles.
LakotasThe Lakota tribe are one of the largest and best-known Native American nations of the Great Plains.
Lenni LenapeThe Lenape or Delawares are considered by many Indians to be the eldest Algonquian tribe.
LuisenosSo-called "Mission Indians," the Luiseno tribe made flour and bread from acorns.
LumbeesThe Lumbees are the descendants of the Carolina Indians who helped the Roanoake Colony.
MakahNative Americans of the Pacific Northwest, the Makah Indians were well-known as expert whalers.
MaliseetsThe Maliseet people are original residents of the Canadian Maritimes. They are renowned for their beadwork and artistry.
MandansThe Mandans were primarily farming people, but like other Plains tribes, followed the buffalo herds on seasonal hunts.
MaricopasAmerican Indians of the Southwest deserts, the Maricopas were agricultural people known for their elaborate tattoos.
MenomineesOriginal people of Wisconsin, the Menominee tribe is named after their staple food, wild rice.
MiamisThe Miami Indians lived not in Florida, but in the Midwest: Indiana, Illinois and Ohio.
MiccosukeesOne of the tribes that made up the powerful Seminole alliance, the Miccosukees were original people of southern Georgia and northern Florida, but retreated into the Everglades when the Americans attacked them.
MicmacsThe Micmac (or Mi'kmaq) people still live in their original homeland in Nova Scotia today, where they are fighting for the right to fish and hunt as their ancestors used to.
MissourisTogether with their cousins the Ioway and Otoe Native Americans, the Missouria are Plains Indians who once hunted the great buffalo herds.
MojavesAmerican Indians of the Southwestern desert, the Mojaves were farming people known for their elaborate tattoos.
MohawksMembers of the powerful Iroquois Confederacy, the Mohawk tribe are Native Americans of upstate New York.
MohegansFrequently confused with the Mohicans due to a poorly-researched literary classic, the Mohegan people consist of many originally independent tribes including the Pequots and Montauks.
MohicansFrequently confused with the Mohegans due to a poorly-researched literary classic, the Mohican tribe was not driven to extinction, merely exiled to Wisconsin.
MontaukOne of many small tribes of Algonquian Native Indians from southern New England.
MunseeThe Munsee people were original inhabitants of Long Island and New York State, but were driven to Wisconsin and Ontario by colonial expansion.
NanticokesThe Nanticoke people were known for their sympathy to escaped slaves, many of whom they sheltered.
NarragansettOne of many small tribes of Algonquian Native Americans from southern New England.
NavajosThe largest nation of Native Americans in the United States, famous for their beautiful rugs and their intricate language which was used as a code in World War II.
Nez PerceThe Nez Perce were originally a fishing culture, but once they acquired horses, they began following the buffalo herds.
NianticOne of many small tribes of Algonquian Native Americans from southern New England.
NipmucOne of many small tribes of Algonquian Native Americans from southern New England.
OkanaganInterior Salish people, the Okanagans were salmon fishermen and traders.
OmahasThe Omahas are Plains Indians of the prairie, who once relied on the buffalo herds for food.
OneidasMembers of the powerful Iroquois Confederacy, the Oneida tribe are Native Americans of upstate New York.
OnondagasMembers of the powerful Iroquois Confederacy, the Onondaga are Native American Indians of upstate New York.
OsageThe Osage are Plains Indians of the prairie, known for their intricate tribal tattoos (which only distinguished warriors and their female relatives could wear.)
OtoesTogether with their cousins the Ioway and Missouri Native Americans, the Otoe are Plains Indians who once hunted the great buffalo herds.
OttawasThe native nation Canada's capital city was named for, the Ottawas are kinfolk of the Ojibways.
PapagosNative people of the American Southwest, the Papago tribe is famous for their beautiful basket art.
PassamaquoddiesThe Passamaquoddy people are original residents of Maine, where they still live today.
PawneesThe Pawnee Indians were known as scouts and allies of the Americans.
PenobscotThe Penobscot people are original residents of Maine, where they still live today.
PequotOne of many small tribes of Algonquian Native Americans from southern New England.
PimasNative people of Mexico and the American Southwest, the Pima tribe is famous for their beautiful basket art.
PocumtuckA subtribe of the Mohican American Indians, the Pocumtuc tribe had distinct leadership and a unique history.
PoncasThe Poncas are Plains Indians of the prairie, who once relied on the buffalo herds for food.
PotawatomiThe Potawatomi were traditionally the fire-keepers in the powerful Three Fires alliance of Indians.
PowhatansThe Powhatan Confederacy is most famous for being the tribe of the real Pocahontas, but they were also a powerful empire controlling most of Virginia.
PueblosNamed after their sophisticated adobe housing complexes, the Pueblo Indians are native people of New Mexico.
QuapawThe Quapaw Indian tribe were better-known to white Americans as the Akansea, and that's where the name of the state Arkansas came from.
QuechanAlso known as the Yuma, the Quechans are an American Indian culture known for their artistic beadwork and basketry.
QuileuteThe real Quileute Indians are not werewolves, but they do consider wolves their tribal ancestors.
Sac and FoxThese two Native Indian tribes allied in the 1700's, when the Sac protected their kinfolk the Fox from a French attempt to wipe them out. Many still live together today.
SeminolesThe Seminole Nation was originally a confederation of several different American Indian cultures of the Southeast, and were also influenced by the many escaped African slaves who joined them for protection. Today the Seminoles are a united tribe.
SenecasMembers of the powerful Iroquois Confederacy, the Seneca are Native American Indians of upstate New York.
ShawneesThe nomadic Shawnee tribe had settlements from New York State to Georgia, but were rejoined into one tribe when the US government deported them to Oklahoma together.
ShinnecockOne of many small tribes of Algonquian Native Americans from southern New England.
ShoshonisThe Shoshone tribe ranged across a vast territory in the west, and different bands had different traditional lifestyles.
SiouxThe Sioux Indians, who call themselves "Lakota" or "Dakota," are one of the largest and best-known Native American tribes of the Great Plains.
TlingitsAmerican Indians of the Northwest Coast, the Tlingit tribe is known for their intricate cedar-bark weavings.
TongvaAlso known as Gabrielinos, the Tongva are American Native people who made flour and bread from acorns.
TonkawasThe Tonkawa were originally Native American Indians of Texas, but were forced to move to Oklahoma along with many other Texas Indians.
TuscarorasOriginally from the American Southeast, the Tuscaroras moved north after the British took over to join the powerful Iroquois Confederacy.
UtesThe Ute Indians are Native Americans of the Great Basin area between the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada.
WabanakisThe Wabanaki Confederacy was a powerful alliance of east-coast American Indians.
WampanoagThe Native Americans who shared in the first Thanksgiving feast, the Wampanoag tribe met a sad fate at the hands of the English.
WappingersA subtribe of the Mohican American Indians, the Wappinger tribe had distinct leadership and a unique history.
WichitasThe Wichita were originally Native Americans of Texas, but were forced to move to Oklahoma along with many other Texas Indians.
WiyotsThe Wiyots are northern California Indians who were tragically massacred during the Gold Rush era. Only a few Wiyot descendants remain today, merged with Yurok and Hupa neighbors.
YakamaNative Americans of the Great Plateau, the Yakamas were master fishermen and traders.
YaquisOriginal people of Mexico, many Yaqui Indians fled to what is now Arizona after attacks by early Mexican colonists.
YavapaisAllies of the Apache, the Yavapai Indian people were known as strong warriors.
YuchisThough the US government considers the Yuchi people part of the Creek tribe, they have always been politically independent of the Creeks and have a unique culture all their own.
YuroksKinfolk of the Wiyot, the two peoples have nearly merged after ethnic violence against them in the 1800's.
ZunisAmerican Indians of New Mexico, the Zunis speak a different language and have some different customs than the other Pueblos.
Our resource pages about Native Americans
Native American BooksSee our reading list of books (and a few movies) by, for, and about American Indians.
Native American CulturesSee our original cultures homepage, with a broader selection of Native American links than this one.
Native American ArtSee photographs, history, and links about many different American Indian arts and crafts.
Native American LegendsRead folklore and traditional stories of American Indians from many tribes.
Native American Picture DictionariesLearn the names of animals in various American Indian languages.
Contact UsWe answer questions from kids every week!
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