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• Definition

  Native American refers to the indigenous people who first settled in the americas. They are often refered to as "Natives" or "Indians". The more political corrent answer is Native American.

  
  

  • • Everything in Native American History...

• Early History

  North American Natives, peoples who occupied North America before the arrival of the Europeans in the 15th century. They have long been known as Indians because of the belief prevalent at the time of Columbus that the Americas were the outer reaches of the Indies (i.e., the East Indies). Most scholars agree that Native Americans came into the Western Hemisphere from Asia via the Bering Strait or along the N Pacific coast in a series of migrations. From Alaska they spread east and south. The several waves of migration are said to account for the many native linguistic families, while the common origin is used to explain the physical characteristics that Native Americans have in common (though with considerable variation)—Mongolic features, coarse, straight black hair, dark eyes, sparse body hair, and a skin color ranging from yellow-brown to reddish brown.

  
  

• Fast Facts

  1. Pre-Contact Population Estimates: The population on the Pre-Columbia Americas is estimates from 10 million to as high as 110 million, with approximately 10% of that being in North America. Thornton's (2006) review of 1491: New Re...
  2. Native Americans excelled at using natural resources and adapting to the climates and terrains in which they lived. http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia
  3. Native American cultures share certain traits that are common to many indigenous peoples around the world, including strong ties to the land on which they live. http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia
  4. From the 16th century to the early 20th century, 93 epidemics and pandemics (very widespread epidemics) of European diseases decimated the native population. http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia
  5. More than 300 American Indian tribes are recognized by the U.S. federal government. http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia

• Timeline

  • 1492: Columbus arrives in AmericaBlue Cloud: American Indian History
  • 1520: Aztec Empire at Mexico City falls to Hernando CortesBlue Cloud: American Indian History
  • 1565: First European colony set up in Jamestown, VirginiaBlue Cloud: American Indian History
  • 1622: First Indian uprising in an English colonyBlue Cloud: American Indian History
  • 1778: First treaty between United States and Delaware Indiansemayzine.com 1776-1830: Native America
  • 1830: Indian Removal Act passed by CongressPBS: Indian Removal Act
  • 1892: Federal law prohibits the sale of liquor to Indiansemayzine.com 1776-1830: Native America
  • 1934: Wheeler-Howard Act passed to protect Native CultureHistory Link: Wheeler-Howard Act
  • 1979: American Indian Religious Freedom ActCornell University Law School: American Indian Religious Freedom Act

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Crazy Horse | Pocahontas | Geronimo | Christopher Columbus | Battle of the Little Bighorn | Wounded Knee Massacre | Ghost Dance Movement

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