Adaptations to Environment

What were some of the adaptations Native Americans had to make when settling in a geographic location?

The map below shows the regions inhabited by different Native American tribes.

Native American tribes labeled by region.

Click each region below to reveal the type of settlement in that region and the adaptations native peoples had to make because of the environment.

Region	Type of Settlement
Northwest Coast	Plank Houses - Made from the cedar trees in the area, these homes protected tribes from the cold climate.
California	Grass-Mat Houses were built by tribes near the ocean, and Redwood Plank Houses were built by tribes in the forests. The type of settlement depended on the location and resources available to the tribes.
Plateau	Teepees - These tribes moved with the animal herds, so a teepee was a good home that was easy to put up and take down. In the winter months, tribes made pit houses that were underground to protect them from the cold winter.
Great Basin	Brush Houses - Because of the dry, desert climate, these tribes used the brush (branches and grasses) to build houses. They were quick and easy to build and gave tribes a safe place to sleep on hunting trips.
Southwest	Adobe or Pueblo Homes - These homes were made from clay and mud. Because the land was dry, hot, and rocky, the clay would dry quickly in the sun. The thick walls made the inside of the house cool during the hot summer and warm in the winter.
Great Plains	Teepees - These tribes were nomadic and traveled to hunt for bison. Their teepees were made from animal skins and wooden poles that could be easily taken down when on the move.
Eastern Woodlands	Wigwams and Longhouses - Because this environment had many forests and greenery, these tribes had a variety of resources to use when building their settlements. Wigwams and longhouses were built using trees and bark. Some tribes even built fences around their settlements to protect them from other tribes.
Southeast	Wattle and Daub and Chickee Houses - The chickee was built with a roof and no walls since the climate was warm. The wattle and daub had walls but was made from materials such as sticks and grasses to help the tribes stay cool inside.