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Long ago, America was their land.
For thousands of years, the only people on this continent were Native Americans. Their ancestors were Asians who had crossed a land bridge to the northernmost part of America and eventually spread south.
Then, beginning in 1492, Europeans came to America. Over the centuries, wars, laws, and diseases brought by the newcomers caused the Native population to drop by 95 percent. Their land was reduced to reservations and Indian trust lands. It was called “Indian country.”
But today, the Native population of the United States is growing. Modern Native Americans are a mixed group of people who walk in two worlds—the ancient world and the modern. As groups, they are Wampanoag, Navajo, Iroquois, and Cherokee—to name a few. As individuals, they are artists, doctors, and teachers. They’re also spiritual healers and fancy dancers. Their children play basketball and shop at malls. They also dress in traditional clothing and dance at powwows. Native Americans are glad to share their culture with others. Come learn about Native America—past and present.
▲ Groups of Native Americans may call themselves a tribe, a nation, or a band. There are hundreds of these groups. Each has its own customs, government, and language. Larger groupings like those shown on the map above have similar languages and lifestyles.
After the hunt, Native Americans of the Great Plains used every part of the buffalo they’d killed. However, white settlers who killed just for fun nearly wiped out the buffalo. In 1800 there were 40 million buffalo. By 1875, there were only 1 million left.
Native Americans have made their traditional skills fit into modern life in many ways. Mohawks have been steelworkers for more than 100 years. In 1886, a bridge builder saw some Mohawk youngsters playing on a bridge across the St. Lawrence River. He was looking for workers who would not be afraid of high places in strong winds. So he trained the first 12 Mohawk workers. Then they trained their friends and neighbors. Soon there were Mohawk construction workers all over America. ▶
◀ The 2010 census counted more than 5 million Native peoples. Some live on reservations governed by individual tribes. Others live in towns and cities. Most of today’s Native Americans treasure their traditional culture. Today, some Native American children go to reservation schools. They learn their native languages and take part in traditional ceremonies.
