Field Notes from Three Homelands

Three Homelands, Many Ways of Living

Native nations are living communities with their own languages, histories, and traditions. The notes below describe some traditional practices of three Native nations or groups of nations. Practices varied among communities and changed over time.

The Tlingit people have homelands along the forested coast and islands of southeast Alaska. Many Tlingit communities built large plank houses from nearby wood. Salmon, shellfish, berries, and other foods came from the coast and forests. Wooden canoes helped people travel along the water, and adzes helped skilled workers shape wood.

Anishinaabe communities have homelands around the Great Lakes. Some families used birchbark homes and birchbark canoes. People caught fish, gathered wild rice and berries, and collected maple sap. Snowshoes helped people travel across snowy ground during winter. Lakes, woods, and changing seasons were important parts of life.

Pueblo nations have homelands in the dry Southwest. Many Pueblo communities built homes from adobe, a building material made from earth. People grew corn, beans, and squash. Grinding stones helped prepare food, and digging tools helped farmers work the soil. In some communities, people directed water to fields so crops could grow in a dry climate.