Native Americans

A building material made from earth and organic materials. Adobe. Historically, adobe is a natural building material used for constructing some of the world's oldest structures.

A group of people united by actual or perceived kinship and descent. Clan. In history, a clan refers to a family group or community with a common ancestor, often playing a significant role in social and political structures.

A deal between different parties where each party gives up part of their demand. compromise. In History, compromise is when conflicting groups make mutual concessions to reach an agreement.

A weapon used by Native Americans for the winning of prestige against an enemy. Coup stick. A coup stick is a tool used by Native American warriors to demonstrate bravery by touching an enemy without causing harm.

The founder of the Iroquois Confederacy. Deganawida. Deganawida is a legendary Native American leader who helped establish the Iroquois Confederacy, a powerful alliance of Indigenous nations.

A precolonial Native American leader and co-founder of the Iroquois Confederacy. Hiawatha. Hiawatha was a significant figure who helped unite five Native American tribes into the Iroquois Confederacy for peace and cooperation.

A dwelling of the Navajo people, made of timber or stone, packed with earth. Hogan. A hogan is a traditional Native American house used by the Navajo, known for its dome shape and earthen construction.

An alliance of five distinct nations in the southern Great Lakes area. Iroquois Confederacy. It was a powerful and influential Native American union formed for peace and mutual defense.

A lean trimmed meat that has been cut into strips and dried. Jerky. Historically, jerky is preserved meat used by travelers and indigenous peoples due to its long shelf life.

A spirit being in the religious beliefs of the Pueblo peoples. Kachina. In history, a kachina is a spirit revered in Pueblo cultures, often represented in ceremonies and traditional dolls.

A room used by Puebloans for rites and political meetings. Kiva. A kiva is a circular, underground room used by Native American Puebloans for religious ceremonies and gatherings.

A small building made of logs and soil. Lodge. In history, a lodge can refer to a meeting place used by Native American tribes or early settlers for shelter or gatherings.

A type of long, narrow, single-room building built by indigenous people. Longhouse. A longhouse is a communal dwelling used by various indigenous cultures, especially in North America, for housing multiple families.

An isolated, steep-sided, flat-topped hill or mountain. Mesa. In history, mesas provided ancient peoples with natural defense locations and unique living spaces.

A gift-giving feast practiced by indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Potlatch. It is a ceremonial event where wealth and social status are demonstrated through the giving and receiving of gifts.

Ecosystems considered part of the temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome. Prairie. Prairies are large, flat grasslands that were home to many Native American tribes before European settlers expanded into these areas.

Communities of Native Americans in the Southwestern US. Pueblo. A pueblo is a traditional Native American village in the Southwestern United States built with adobe or stone.

A tent made of animal skins upon wooden poles. Teepee. A teepee is a type of portable shelter traditionally used by Native American tribes of the Great Plains.

A carving made of poles, carved with symbols to honor ancestors or notable events. Totem pole. A totem pole is a tall, carved wooden monument created by Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest to tell stories of ancestral lineage and cultural beliefs.

A frame structure that was used by indigenous peoples to drag loads over land. Travois. Historically, a travois is a simple wooden frame used by Native Americans to transport goods efficiently over land.

A traditional polished shell bead of the Eastern Woodlands tribes wampum. Wampum is a type of beadwork used by Native American tribes for trade, storytelling, and ceremonial purposes.

A semi-permanent domed dwelling used by certain Native American tribes. Wigwam. A wigwam is a traditional Native American shelter made from wooden frames covered with bark or hides.