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Major Pre-Columbian Indigenous Groups and Their Locations

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Major Pre-Columbian Indigenous Groups and Their Locations

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Before Europeans arrived, North America was home to many diverse Indigenous groups, each adapted to their unique regions. On a map, students can find groups like the Iroquois in the Northeast, the Sioux on the Great Plains, the Ancestral Puebloans in the Southwest, and the Haida in the Pacific Northwest. These groups spoke different languages and developed distinct social structures. Locating them geographically helps us understand how large and varied Indigenous North America was.

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The environment played a huge role in shaping Indigenous ways of life. For example, the Iroquois used the forests’ resources for hunting and building longhouses. The Great Plains’ wide open spaces led the Sioux to become skilled buffalo hunters and horse riders. In the arid Southwest, the Ancestral Puebloans built cliff dwellings and developed irrigation to farm in the desert. Meanwhile, the Haida thrived in the temperate rainforests, relying on fishing and woodworking. Understanding these environmental characteristics helps explain the diversity of Indigenous cultures.

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Maps and physical geography reveal patterns in how Indigenous peoples settled and interacted with their land. Rivers, mountains, and climate zones shaped trade routes, political alliances, and resource use. For instance, many tribes settled near rivers for water and transportation, while mountainous areas often led to isolated but unique cultural developments. Using geographic tools like maps and satellite images, students can analyze these patterns and compare how groups adapted differently across regions.