Although American Indian and Alaska Native communities are scattered across the United States, their populations are notably concentrated more in certain regions. California, Oklahoma, and Arizona, in particular, boast large numbers of Native Americans in their states, resulting in highly diverse, vibrant, and inclusive cultures. Navajo Nation, Cherokee Nation, Sioux, Chippewa, Apache, and some others … Continued
When the United States entered World War II, Native Americans answered the call to service in striking numbers, all despite a long history of broken treaties, forced removals, and discrimination at home. Around 45,000 Native Americans served during the Second World War. In fact, according to sources, Native American women and men served in all … Continued
Native American communities have a history that dates back thousands of years. Yet, many Americans today have little knowledge about their complex civilizations, rich cultures, cultural traditions, unique languages, and ways of life. However, Native Americans live across both rural and urban areas, and continue to shape modern society. Lapses in the American education system … Continued
For thousands of years, Native American society relied on oral tradition for passing down legends, stories, folklore, and historical accounts from one generation to another. Both old and young indigenous women and men who experienced Native American boarding schools and other hardships that tried to destroy native culture and indigenous identity told a lot about … Continued
Everyone, no matter how young or old, deals with traumas. Mental health is a serious issue that is now spoken about more than ever, yet many people still struggle to recognize its impact on their lives. Native Americans, in turn, face an added layer of hardship rooted not only in individual experiences but in the … Continued
It’s difficult to imagine the contemporary world without revolutionizing inventions, but not everybody knows that some of them were developed by Indigenous peoples. Native Americans made major contributions to many spheres in modern life, including agriculture, medicine, political systems, geography, architecture, astronomy, and more. In fact, for quite a number of technologies, foods, engineering methods, … Continued
The first human migration to the Americas dates back several thousand years, all the way to the Ice Age. Current evidence comfortably points to civilizations existing as early as 15,000 years ago. But this timeline keeps getting pushed back as more remnants are unearthed and our understanding of those early settlers broadens. (Interestingly, some studies … Continued
If you’ve been wondering whether you have Native American ancestors in your bloodline, it’s time to find out. Perhaps your great-grandmother told you stories about having Cherokee or Sioux heritage but you were too young to ask her more, or maybe you’ve noticed certain family traditions that hint at Indigenous roots. No matter what sparked … Continued
Muskogean was the most important language family of the Native American Southeastern Culture Area. In her introduction to Florida Place Names of Indian Origin and Seminole Personal Names, Patricia Riles Wickman writes: “We shall never know with any certainty how many dialects derived from this mother tongue and from the social template that contained an … Continued
The Maryhill Museum located near Goldendale, Washington, has a display of Plateau stone artifacts. The Plateau Culture Area is the area between the Cascade Mountains and the Rocky Mountains in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, British Columbia, and Western Montana. From north to south it runs from the Fraser River in the north to the Blue Mountains … Continued
