The First People of New York

1
The First People of New York

• People of the Eastern Woodlands
• 1300-1600

2
Native Americans

• Most of the land in New York was called the
  Eastern Woodlands because it was covered with
  forests
• Two major Native American groups in New York
  the Algonkians and the Iroquois
• Both made use of the resources they found around
  them to meet their needs

3
Resources

• Trees for houses and canoes
• Land for planting crops
• Animals for food and clothing (deerskin)
• Wood for fire, bow and arrow

4
Longhouses

• The Iroquois and most Algonkians lived in
  longhouses
• Longhouses very long and wide up to 20
  families
• Made out of wooden poles and branches covered
  with sheets of bark

5
Life in the Eastern Woodlands

• The women planted and cared for the crops (corn,
  beans, and squash)
• The men helped clear the fields for planting.
  They also fished, hunted, traded, and made canoes
  from logs
• Children helped get water and wood for the fire.
  
• Boys learned how to shoot a bow and arrow, build
  traps for bear, deer, turkey, rabbits, and other
  animals
• Girls learned to cook, make pottery and clothing

6
Think About It

• Where are the Eastern Woodlands?
• What is a longhouse?
• How did the Algonkian and Iroquois use their
  environment to live?
• Compare and contrast your life with that of a
  child from the Eastern Woodlands.