Inventions and Discoveries
Sebastian & Shrikanth
The Teaching Lodge & Wigwam
A Wigwam is a birch bark lodge, made of birch bark sheets and the branches of birch trees. Native people in the Great Lake region would have lived in these small huts. Below is one of many styles of wigwam and is designed for living on frozen ground. This one is about half the size of one that would have been used by one to two hunters, but wigwams usually varied between 25 and 65 meters in diameter. These could fit families of eight.
A Wigwam is a birch bark lodge, made of birch bark sheets and the branches of birch trees. Native people in the Great Lake region would have lived in these small huts. Below is one of many styles of wigwam and is designed for living on frozen ground. This one is about half the size of one that would have been used by one to two hunters, but wigwams usually varied between 25 and 65 meters in diameter. These could fit families of eight.
"Mitchell Museum of the American Indian: Chicago Area Museum Devoted Exclusively to North American Native People." Mitchell Museum of the American Indian: Chicago Area Museum Devoted Exclusively to North American Native People. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2014. <http://www.mitchellmuseum.org/exhibits/exhibit-teachinglodge.html>.
Basswood Bark
Native Americans used cut basswood bark into thin strips and used it for rope, mats, and even bandages. Basswood wood is lightweight and odourless and is also often used for boxes and crates.
Native Americans used cut basswood bark into thin strips and used it for rope, mats, and even bandages. Basswood wood is lightweight and odourless and is also often used for boxes and crates.
"Mitchell Museum of the American Indian: Chicago Area Museum Devoted Exclusively to North American Native People." Mitchell Museum of the American Indian: Chicago Area Museum Devoted Exclusively to North American Native People. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2014. <http://www.mitchellmuseum.org/exhibits/exhibit-teachinglodge.html>.
Rawhide
One of the Native Americans’ most important materials was untanned hide or otherwise known rawhide, from deer, buffalo, elk, mouse and caribou. This was either cut into strips or used as larger pieces for lashing the parts of a wigwam together, as the lacing for snowshoes, for making rope, for drum heads and for the soles of moccasins.
One of the Native Americans’ most important materials was untanned hide or otherwise known rawhide, from deer, buffalo, elk, mouse and caribou. This was either cut into strips or used as larger pieces for lashing the parts of a wigwam together, as the lacing for snowshoes, for making rope, for drum heads and for the soles of moccasins.
"Mitchell Museum of the American Indian: Chicago Area Museum Devoted Exclusively to North American Native People." Mitchell Museum of the American Indian: Chicago Area Museum Devoted Exclusively to North American Native People. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2014. <http://www.mitchellmuseum.org/exhibits/exhibit-teachinglodge.html>.
Birch Bark Containers
These containers were made of paper from birch bark. Due to it being water proof birch bark was used to make many different types of containers, such as, trays, dishes, storage boxes and cooking pots.
These containers were made of paper from birch bark. Due to it being water proof birch bark was used to make many different types of containers, such as, trays, dishes, storage boxes and cooking pots.
"Mitchell Museum of the American Indian: Chicago Area Museum Devoted Exclusively to North American Native People." Mitchell Museum of the American Indian: Chicago Area Museum Devoted Exclusively to North American Native People. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2014. <http://www.mitchellmuseum.org/exhibits/exhibit-teachinglodge.html>.
Deer Skins
The White-tailed deer live in North and Central America as well as in northern parts of South America. Native Americans use all parts of the deer, the meat is used as a food source, the hide is used for clothing and blankets, and the bones and antlers are used as agricultural tools.
The White-tailed deer live in North and Central America as well as in northern parts of South America. Native Americans use all parts of the deer, the meat is used as a food source, the hide is used for clothing and blankets, and the bones and antlers are used as agricultural tools.
Elk Hide
Elk hide along with other animal skins is used for wigwams, clothing and various other things. Here the Elk hide is used as the front door of the wigwam, but often a wool trade blanket is used too.
Elk hide along with other animal skins is used for wigwams, clothing and various other things. Here the Elk hide is used as the front door of the wigwam, but often a wool trade blanket is used too.
"Mitchell Museum of the American Indian: Chicago Area Museum Devoted Exclusively to North American Native People." Mitchell Museum of the American Indian: Chicago Area Museum Devoted Exclusively to North American Native People. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2014. <http://www.mitchellmuseum.org/exhibits/exhibit-teachinglodge.html>.
Grass Mats
Wigwams were covered with grass mats in the warm weather. The small holes in the mats allowed air to circulate through the structure of the wigwam. Women made the mats during the summer months.
Wigwams were covered with grass mats in the warm weather. The small holes in the mats allowed air to circulate through the structure of the wigwam. Women made the mats during the summer months.
"Mitchell Museum of the American Indian: Chicago Area Museum Devoted Exclusively to North American Native People." Mitchell Museum of the American Indian: Chicago Area Museum Devoted Exclusively to North American Native People. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2014. <http://www.mitchellmuseum.org/exhibits/exhibit-teachinglodge.html>.
Beaver Skin
Native Americans used the Beaver as a source of fur, food, fat and tools. Beaver fur was used for hats, mittens, coats, and moccasin liners because the fur was waterproof. As well as having so many resources the beaver was also an important part of spiritual and religious life. The beaver was a symbol of resourcefulness. In the 17th and 18th centuries, beaver pelts also became a major item of trade with the Europeans.
Native Americans used the Beaver as a source of fur, food, fat and tools. Beaver fur was used for hats, mittens, coats, and moccasin liners because the fur was waterproof. As well as having so many resources the beaver was also an important part of spiritual and religious life. The beaver was a symbol of resourcefulness. In the 17th and 18th centuries, beaver pelts also became a major item of trade with the Europeans.
"Mitchell Museum of the American Indian: Chicago Area Museum Devoted Exclusively to North American Native People." Mitchell Museum of the American Indian: Chicago Area Museum Devoted Exclusively to North American Native People. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2014. <http://www.mitchellmuseum.org/exhibits/exhibit-teachinglodge.html>.
Totem Poles
The First Peoples of West Coast thought that the first totem pole was a gift from Raven. It’s original name was Kalakuyuwish, which meant "the pole that holds up the sky." The totem poles were used showing the tribe's descent from an animal such as the bear, raven, wolf, salmon, or killer whale. Most native american tribes believed they ‘evolved’ from an animal.
The First Peoples of West Coast thought that the first totem pole was a gift from Raven. It’s original name was Kalakuyuwish, which meant "the pole that holds up the sky." The totem poles were used showing the tribe's descent from an animal such as the bear, raven, wolf, salmon, or killer whale. Most native american tribes believed they ‘evolved’ from an animal.
Bellis, Mary. "Native American Inventions - Totem Pole Invention." About.com Inventors. About.com, 13 May 2014. Web. 25 May 2014. <http://inventors.about.com/od/famousinventions/a/Native_American.htm>.
Sport - Lacrosse
Lacrosse was invented by the Iroquois, Huron and other Native American tribes living around the St. Lawrence River in modern day New York and Ontario. It was mostly was spread by the Huron and the Iroquois but some other smaller tribes also helped. They named the game after the ball, baggataway, (in the most common dialect).
Lacrosse was invented by the Iroquois, Huron and other Native American tribes living around the St. Lawrence River in modern day New York and Ontario. It was mostly was spread by the Huron and the Iroquois but some other smaller tribes also helped. They named the game after the ball, baggataway, (in the most common dialect).
Lacrosse. N.d. Directoster. Lacrosse. Web. 26 May 2014. <http://directroster.com/Uploads/Images/8ca56192d93342e2bc0cb35e7d8312d6.png>.
Clothing - Snowshoes, Moccasins
Snowshoes were first invented by the tribes of the eastern. it helped them to walk on deep snow without sinking into it. They were mostly made of basswood bark.
Moccasins originated with the North-Eastern tribes, traditionally referred to a shoe with a puckered u-shaped 'vamp' over the instep. The name of the Great Lakes Ojibway tribe means 'people of the puckered moccasin'. The southern New England the word for shoe is 'Mocussinass' or ‘Mockussinchass'.
Snowshoes were first invented by the tribes of the eastern. it helped them to walk on deep snow without sinking into it. They were mostly made of basswood bark.
Moccasins originated with the North-Eastern tribes, traditionally referred to a shoe with a puckered u-shaped 'vamp' over the instep. The name of the Great Lakes Ojibway tribe means 'people of the puckered moccasin'. The southern New England the word for shoe is 'Mocussinass' or ‘Mockussinchass'.
Cook, James. "Snowshoes." Cdn.com, 23 Feb. 2011. Web. 26 May 2014. < http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0036/2852/products/dsc_162.jpg?v=1255738135 >.
Transport - Toboggan, Kayak, Birch Bark Canoe
The Toboggan comes from the Algonquian word odabaggan. The toboggan is an invention of the Peoples from the East. Indian hunters first built toboggans made of bark to carry game over the snow. The Inuit (sometimes called Eskimos) used to make toboggans of whalebone, otherwise a toboggan is made of strips of hickory, ash, or maple, with the front ends curved back.
Kayak was invented by the Inuit Peoples. The skin-covered kayaks of the Arctic people are excellent examples of a technology developed over centuries of experimental refinement and everyday use.
Birch Bark Canoe was invented by the Eastern First Peoples. The word 'canoe' originiated from the word 'kenu' - meaning dugout.
The Toboggan comes from the Algonquian word odabaggan. The toboggan is an invention of the Peoples from the East. Indian hunters first built toboggans made of bark to carry game over the snow. The Inuit (sometimes called Eskimos) used to make toboggans of whalebone, otherwise a toboggan is made of strips of hickory, ash, or maple, with the front ends curved back.
Kayak was invented by the Inuit Peoples. The skin-covered kayaks of the Arctic people are excellent examples of a technology developed over centuries of experimental refinement and everyday use.
Birch Bark Canoe was invented by the Eastern First Peoples. The word 'canoe' originiated from the word 'kenu' - meaning dugout.
Housing - Tipis, Longhouse, etc.
Tipis or tepees are adaptations of Wigwams that were invented by the Plains First Peoples. Seven main styles of Native American housing were invented the Wickiup, the Wigwam, the Longhouse, the Tipi, the Hogan, the Dugout, and the Pueblo. The first nomadic peoples needed a sturdy dwelling that could stand up against the severe prairie winds and yet could be dismantled at a moment's notice to follow the drifting herds. They invented the tipi.
Tipis or tepees are adaptations of Wigwams that were invented by the Plains First Peoples. Seven main styles of Native American housing were invented the Wickiup, the Wigwam, the Longhouse, the Tipi, the Hogan, the Dugout, and the Pueblo. The first nomadic peoples needed a sturdy dwelling that could stand up against the severe prairie winds and yet could be dismantled at a moment's notice to follow the drifting herds. They invented the tipi.
Godin, Matt. "Longhouses in the Americas." Ducksters. N.p., 12 June 2011. Web. 26 May 2014. <http://www.ducksters.com/history/native_american_longhouse.jpg>.
Other Resources
Bellis, Mary. "Native American Inventions - Totem Pole Invention." About.com Inventors. About.com, 13 May 2014. Web. 25 May 2014. <http://inventors.about.com/od/famousinventions/a/Native_American.htm>.
Bellis, Mary. "Native American Inventions - Totem Pole Invention." About.com Inventors. About.com, 13 May 2014. Web. 25 May 2014. <http://inventors.about.com/od/famousinventions/a/Native_American.htm>.