Come meet the early people of the Americas in
olden times. Learn what people invented to make themselves happy and
comfortable. Read fabulous myths! Play really old games. Meet
mischievous magical beings. Explore the daily life of those who
lived in the Americas a long time ago - some of them right here, in
your backyard.
Imagine
40,000 years ago ...
Northeast
Woodland Indians
Iroquois
Nation
- What was the job of the False Face Society? Who
were the Three Sisters? What were the Snow Snake Games? Who was
Hiawatha? What was the League of Nations? What was wampum? Read the
story of Wise
Owl.
Welcome to the Iroquois Nation in Olden Times.
Ojibwa/Chippewa
-
Why did the Ojibwa hide pebbles in moccasins?
What is a Charcoal Sad Face? How do you play Butterfly Hide and
Seek? What is a Dream Catcher? Who was The
Invisible Warrior? Welcome
to the Ojibwa / Chippewa Indians in Olden Times.
Southeast
Woodland Indians
Cherokee
Nation - Why did the Cherokee Indians have a red chief
and a white chief? What is a Booger Ceremony? What techniques
were invented by the Cherokee that made them successful in
battle? Where is the Darkening Land? What is the Trail of Tears?
Seminole
-
What is the job of an animal spirit helper?
Why did the Seminole people hang baby cradles from the rafters
of their homes? What is a comfortable? Why were beads so
important? Welcome to the Florida Everglade
Seminole Indians in Olden Times.
The
Great Plains Indians
Plains
People -
Why did the Plains people prefer tipis to
houses? Name 72 things the Plains people made from buffalo. Why were
horses called dogs? What were pictographs? Can you decode an ancient
message? Why do the elders still speak of Clever
Coyote with gratitude?
Sioux
Nation - What could boys do when they reached their 10th
birthday? What engagement present did the family of the bride
receive? Why weren't kids given names when they were born? What did
star quilts represent? What was the Seven Council Fires?
Southwest
Indians
Anasazi/Pueblo/Hopi
-
Why did the Pueblo dig a hole in the middle of
a secret underground room? Who were the giant Natackas? What are
kachinas? How did the Pueblo get their name? Who were the Old
Ones? What happened at a naming ceremony?
Apache
-
Why do Apache kids hunt for blue stones? What
is a Wickiup? Who were the Devil Dancers? Learn how to play
Apache toe and toss games. Read an Apache myth about Child
of Water and Little Blue Rock. Welcome to the
Southwest Apache Indians in Olden Times.
Navajo
- When a young couple ate from the same basket,
why did all their relatives lecture them? What is a Ketoh? Why did
the Navajo make Sand Paintings and then destroy them before dark?
What is a Blessingways? Welcome to the Southwest Navajo Indians in
Olden Times.
Northwest
Indians
Northwest
Pacific Coastal -
What made the Puget Sound
Indian tribes "rich" in ancient times? Why were woven
mats so important? How did totem poles get started? What could
you buy with 5,000 blankets? What's a potlatch all about? Find out
How
Raven Stole Crow's Potlatch.
California
Indians - Why was the bear doctor feared? What was the
purpose of the Big Head Dance? Why did certain medicine men hunt
rattlesnakes? Why did the Chumash need a ladder to get into bed?
Come meet the people who lived in California in Olden Times.
Arctic/Far
North Indians
Far
North -
What trick did the Kutchin people use on their
enemies? How did these early people stop ghosts from entering their
homes? What magical powers did the Inuit think their shamas had?
What is the purpose of a finger mask? Welcome to Alaska Natives and
the people of the Arctic and Far North in Olden Times.
Central
& South American Indians
The
Inca Empire - The Incas never invented the wheel. They never
invented a system of writing. They had no use for money. Yet, high
in the rugged Andes Mountains of South America, the Incas built
thousands of miles of well-paved roads, kept accurate records, and
enjoyed vast wealth. Everyone in the empire was well fed and no one
was homeless. Meet the Children of the Sun.
The
Maya Empire - One day, the Mayas appeared. 1500 years later,
they disappeared. No one knows where they came from and no one knows
where they went! During their stay, they build pyramids,
temples, stelas, and ball courts. Explore Daily Life in the Maya
Empire, read the adventures of The
Hero Twins, and play a Game of Bul. Meet the People
of the Corn.
The
Aztecs - Why did the Aztecs search for 200 years to find
the The Place of
the Prickly Pear Cactus? What did conquered people have to
pay in tribute? Why did the Aztecs build floating gardens? Read
the story Journey
of a Princess to discover how the Aztecs treated some
very honored guests. Welcome to ancient Mexico.
