Native American Vocabulary

Front

What is wampum?

Back

Shell money used by the Algonquians, often made from beads.

Front

Who are the Algonquians?

Back

North American Indian people that lived in downstate New York.

Front

What is a clan mother?

Back

The head of the clan, responsible for making important decisions.

Front

What is a wigwam?

Back

A house built by the Algonquians for one family.

Front

What is a longhouse?

Back

A house built by the Iroquois in which a number of families lived.

Front

What does sachem mean?

Back

A leader or chief among Native American tribes.

Front

What materials were used to build a wigwam?

Back

Wigwams were typically made from wooden frames covered with bark or mats.

Front

What is the significance of wampum in Native American culture?

Back

Wampum was used for trade, as well as for ceremonial purposes and storytelling.

Front

What is the Iroquois Confederacy?

Back

A political alliance of several Native American tribes in the northeastern United States.

Front

What role did the clan mother play in Iroquois society?

Back

Clan mothers had significant authority, including selecting chiefs and making decisions for the clan.