Eastern Woodland Indians

Eastern Woodland Indians by Esha Sundrani 2015

The Native Americans were often grouped by tribes or nations. Currently, there are 24 nations and well over 1000 tribes within America. The Native Americans are grouped based on their language and religion. The Native Americans also had tribes with different political views. They were said to have one of the best political systems until the white man came along. Among the several regions of Native American tribes, there is the Eastern Woodlands.

Most Eastern Woodland Indians live in wigwams and long houses. Wigwams are hut-shaped structures covered with bark or straw on top. Wigwams were made to fit only one to two families. Longhouses are made the same way as wigwams except they

are rectangular, instead of round. The longhouse has a long hallway with rooms on both sides. Usually many families would live in a long house.
Native Americans worked really hard to build houses and structures. They would build their own homes from trees, bark, and grass. Some homes were constructed out of twigs, branches, and mud-clay. The men in the house usually built the houses. When the men were not present, women would often step in to help built the house. Women helped gather the materials to built the houses. Older children would sometimes help built and gather. The older children were trained by their fathers.
The Eastern Woodland Indians usually lived in the woods. Because they lived in the woods, there were plenty of resources, such as food and resources to build houses. The Eastern Woodland Indians kill and prepare their own food. Fathers taught their sons how to hunt and fish. The most common diet consists of animal meat such as deer, bear, fish, rabbit, bison. They also enjoyed a lot of delicious nuts, berries, beans, and vegetables like corn and squash. The tribes that lived in the Great Lakes Area ate a lot of rice.
Females and males both worked in fields. Moms would attach their babies to their backs. The females would plant seeds and harvest the fields. There was no reason to water plants because the Native Americans relied on water from the sky.
If someone in the tribe passed away, the tribe would hold a cry ceremony to honor them. The medicine man of the tribe sang and danced around the fire. This ceremony lasted for five days. Five knots were tied in a piece of milkweed or sheep hair, to represent the 5 days of the ceremony. Each day of the ceremony, the medicine man untied a knot, to represent a day of the ceremony.
Face paint was a big part of Eastern Woodland culture. They painted their faces to express feelings. Each color had a meaning. Red meant life. Black meant death or eternal grief. Purple meant royalty and for special occasions. War paint was also an essential part of their culture.
Native Americans were known for their music. The tribes often performed many songs. They used special instruments that they believed helped them call the gods and scared away the evil spirits. One of the instruments they played was the drum. This instrument scared away the evil spirits. Another instrument they played was the flute. The peaceful sounds of the flute helped call the gods. If there was not enough rain for the crops, they played the rainstick, which made a noise like of the rain, that helped call the rain showers.
When a person was sick we tried many ways to sure it. They wore masks to cure diseases. The scary mask, they believed, scared the evil spirits out of the sick person. The medicine man would sing payers and perform ceremonies. Herbs would also be given to cure the patient.
The Eastern Woodlands spoke several different languages with in their tribes. Some of the languages they spoke are Iroquoian and Algonquian languages. There were many groups such as the Cayuga, Mohawk, Onondaga, and Seneca tribes that had their own languages.Even though they spoke different languages, they were still united by their culture and beliefs.
Most of the Eastern Woodland region was covered by trees. The Eastern Woodlands had the advantage to use them. They used the wood for a lot such as transportation, shelter, pottery, decorations, and many more things. They built boats and homes out of the wood. They also used to the wood to make bowls and spoon and many forms of decorations.
The Eastern Woodlands wore shirts, leggings and moccasins. The Eastern Woodland Indians made their clothes from the pelts. Pelts are animal skin with the hair or fur still on it. The Eastern Woodlands use the pelts of any animal they killed. During the winter, they would keep the fur on. During the warm weather they would scrap the fur off. Women in the arm weather wore skirts made off of wild grass. Sometimes, they would cover it up with fur for the cold nights. During the hot weather, men only wore a loincloth. A loin cloth is a small piece of pelt between their legs and tucked like a belt. Children wore nothing in the hot weather.
Some Eastern Woodland men wore silver nose rings and earrings. The men cut their ear slits and wrap it like a coil with silver wire. Since the metal was heavy, it would help open up their ear slits to create a bigger hole. The women admired the bigger holes. Some of holes were two or three inches in diameter.
Some Eastern Woodland Indian men shaved off most of their hair except for a small patch too wait that was long and braided. The women would keep their hair long and braided. Little boys would have bald heads. Little girls would grow their hair and keep in braided, like the women. Special people would have feathered headdresses to show their rank.
A big part of Native American Culture and religion were dream catchers. Dream catchers caught the evil spirits and let the good spirits pass through. The Native Americans believed in good and evil spirits. They also believed in karma. “Do what you want to be done to yoursel . ” Native Americans worshipped nature. They believed in the sun, moon, and Earth. They did everything to protect Earth. They believed that they should preserve it for the generations to come.

Shawnees

The Shawnee Indians are originally from North Eastern part of the USA .

Today they live mainly in Oklahoma. They live on reservtion land. The Shawnees were known to have a large population compared to other tribes This was because they traveled around the Eastern lands. Some present day states they lived in were Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Maryland, Indiana and Pennsylvania.

Today, the Shawnees speak English. Although English was the main language, some elders speak the Shawnee language. The Shawnee language is quickly going away. It is not taught to children . English is only taught to children today.

The Shawnees mainly lived in one place till, the new settlers arrived. That’s when the Shawnee Indians became nomadic. They moved around to avoid contact and war with the new settlers. Their goal was to protect all the families. They ensured safety for all the Shawnee tribes.

Because they were nomadic, they did not build permanent homes. They lived in basic wigwam structures. They made sure it was easy to take down and break apart, when they move. It was made of tree bark and sap, cattails and sometimes hide. The houses were not fully weather

proofs.
The Shawnee Indians were known for a unique dance, the Stomp Dance. The dance had stomp and shuffle movements. The dance involved friends, and sometimes family. Dance which is held for both social and religious purposes. The dance was done around a religious fire.
The Shawnees did not always get along with other tribes. However, then tribe that they got along with, were the Cherokee Indians. They were very important Shawnee Indian. The Shawnee adapted a lot of music and dance from the Cherokee. They also traded with them constantly.
There were diseases and war during the early 1800’s that brought the population down.

The population was over 10,000 people to barely 3,500 people. After the great decrease in population , the population increased exponentially up to 15,000 people. The population has continued to stay increased. Today there are around 15,000 people.

The Shawnee women today, continue to farm. They mostly grow squash, beans and different types of corn, that they grew around their homes. Women today also spend a lot of time making arts and crafts. They are known for their indicate wood carving and pottery and advance beadwork. Sometimes they would also weave baskets, purses, and rugs. They make their rope out of wild hemp and create rope out of wild hemp, which is a type of grass mainly in Nebraska.

Today, The Shawnee men play a major role in Shawnees household. They are responsible for going to war. They ensure protection for the Shawnee tribes. They did anything to protective tribes. This is similar to how our army protects the USA. Another role men play in the household is hunting. They hunt deer, and turkey and any animal they could catch on their reservations. They use bows and arrows, spears and nets. Men are in charge of

trading.
The Shawnee Indians are proud their heritage and culture Today they spend a big deal of time telling stories. This is their way of passing on important historical facts. They were also known for their stomp dance. They were not known for their clothes. Both men and women wore very basic clothes, that they adapted from tribes they came in contact with. They adapted many things from the Cherokee.

Miami Indians

Before the 1700’s The Miami Indians originally lived in Indiana, Illinois, and parts of Michigan. They later were forced to move to Oklahoma as new settlers came through. Today, there are two large Miami villages left. There is one is Indiana and one in Oklahoma. Most people think that Miami, Florida is named after the Miami Indians. They are wrong. Miami was named after Maymi, which meant wide lake. However, Maumee, Ohio is named after the Miami Indians, and so is Miami University.
The Miami Indians have their own government. They also have laws and, police officers, similarly to a small country. The Miamis are also are U.S. citizens. The Miami Indians are not federally recognized. That means that they don’t have their own reservations. The Miami Indians have to obey American laws and regulations However, they are still allowed have traditional tribal meeting and leadership .
Before the new settlers, the Miamis were ruled by two chiefs. There was a chief for the village and one for wars. The village chief was chosen by the Miami clans. The war chief was chosen by the warriors. Today, Miami chiefs are like mayors and governors.
Miami means allies. The Miamis were allies of the French. When the British moved to Ohio around the 1740, the French helped the Miamis force them out. The Miamis continued ton be aligned with the French to keep the British out. They did a great job till the French and Indian War.
During the French Indian war the British won. The British force the French and Miamis out of their homes. They turned all the French forts into British forts. Some of the Miamis then moved to moved to Indiana to avoid the Bristish. Others stayed in Ohio.During the American Revolution, the Miamis were scared of all the new white settlers moving into Ohio. Some of the settlers that were still there continued to fight the British.
Little Turtle was a great leader of the Miamis. He helped to lead a force of Miami and other American Indians to victory. They defeated over two United States armies. They defeated the army of General Josiah Harmar in 1790. This was known as Harmar's Defeat. They also defeated the army of General Arthur St. Clair in 1791. It was known as St. Clair's Defeat.
General Anthony Wayne defeated the Miamis. They battled on the Ohio lands. This battle was called the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794. The Miamis, living in Ohio, were forced to surrender most of their Ohio lands. They had to sign the Treaty of Greeneville. In 1818, the United States forced the Miami to give up their last part of their reservation in Ohio.
Men had a very important role in the Miami homes. The men hunted and also fought in wars. They also had to protect their families. The women also had an important role in the village They took care of the children and they cooked for the families. Both of them took part in storytelling and art stand crafts. Only men could be chiefs, in the past. Women had the important job of arranging religious festivals, and negotiating peace treaties.
Miami’s in the past had different houses. They didn’t live in Tepees like some of the tribe did. The lived in houses made of small oval houses. It was made of woven reeds. Today, the Miamis live in modern houses and apartments.
Miamis in the past, farmed and grew crops. They grew corn, beans, and squash. They also ate whatever they hunted. . Today, they eat more modern food. They no longer grow crops, as much as they did in the past. They get their crops from supermarkets like Walmart.
Miamis in the past, dug out canoes from long trees. They also rode on horses after the colonist arrived. Today, they ride in cars. They also ride on buses, trains and all means of modern transportation. Some of them continue to use modern canoes.
The Miamis traded with all the other tribes of the Great Lakes region. They traded buffalo hides for sheelbeads. The Miamis fought with the Sioux and the Chickasaw Indians. The Miamis in general did to get along with most tribes. They were only friendly to the tribes they traded with. The Miamis were not peaceful, but they weren't always warlike.
The lifestyle of the Miamis, today is very modernized. The children today, go to school and help around the house. In the past children used to help way more around the house then they do now. The children play around more. In the past Miami babies were carried in a cradleboard, now they are put in carseats. When the children did something bad they did not get spanking. However, they were scolded.
Miamis today all speak English. In the past, they spoke a native Miami-Illinois language. Both the Miami and Illinois tribes shared this language. Like Canada and USA have the same language , but have a slight style change, the Miami and Illinois languages were different. Today, no Miami Indian speaks this language, which is why they are working hard to bring it back up.
During the 1600’s the French estimated 15,000 people. During the 1717’s they estimated around 8,000. During the next two decades there was a large population decrease. Around the 1736’s the population was less than 3,000. In 1909 the population went way down to 129. Today, there are around 2,100.
In conclusion, the natives that live today live a modern life then they once did. The colonization effected the natives to change and drecase in population. Today, we do federally recognize a lot of them. However, the damage is still done to their cultures. Some of them still have traditional dances and ceremonies. The languages, however, are disappeared and are trying to come back. Life for the Native Americans had really changed.