Question

How many native American Cultural areas are there in North America and what are they? Where do they reside Geographically? What are some of the similarities among these Native American Cultures? What are the Differences?

Answer 1

There are 573 federally recognized Indian and Alaska tribal tribes and villages in the United States, each with its own culture, language and history. Each tribe has unique customs and distinct styles of life, dress, and food. Federally recognised tribes differ in number and land base, but all are considered sovereign nations and have a clear nation-to - nation relationship with the United States.

Prior to the advent of Europe in North America, tribes had successfully ruled for hundreds of years and developed efficient methods of cultivating and educating their children and regulating their cultures. The U.S. government itself is rooted in the ideals of the Iroquois Confederation. However, the invasion of Europe destroyed many native cultures through forced migration, war, broken treaties and foreign-born diseases. Many of the local peoples have been absolutely wiped out.

In the Boarding School Era from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s, the U.S. government introduced laws that forcefully separated aboriginal children from their homes and placed them in Protestant boarding schools. Such children have been taken hundreds of miles away from their families for years and endured harsh punishment when they attempted to speak their languages or follow their rituals. Most infants died of starvation or disease. Many who survived returned years later to find themselves utterly alienated from their families and conventional ways.

Today, many of the tribes in the United States are reviving their practices and beliefs. The importance of language and ritual is central to this cultural revival. A variety of tribes have developed language learning programs to preserve and pass on their tribal dialects to future generations. Ceremonies were put into effect, local radio stations started broadcasting in native languages, pow-wows became an inter-tribal meeting place, and a new native generation were taught to live with integrity, character and pride. Running Strong embraces a variety of aboriginal groups that are part of this movement, bringing energy and healing and optimism to today's American Indian youth.

The majority of researchers travel across North America — excluding present-day Mexico — to 10 distinct cultural areas: the Arctic, the Sub-Arctic, the Northeast, the Southeast, the Midwest, the Southwest, the Great Basin, California, the Northwest Coast and the Plateau.