“First Nations of North America” seriesSouthwest Indians
Author: Melissa McDaniel
Pages: 48
There are ten major nations in the Southwest Indian family: the Navajo, Apache, Pueblo, Hopi, Zuni, Tohono O’odham, Akimel O’odham, Upland Yumans, and River Yumans. McDaniel describes their languages, leaders, beliefs, ceremonies, family life, homes, hairstyles, the objects they made, and more. This diverse
group settled in present-day Arizona, New Mexico, Mexico, parts of Texas,
and surrounding areas. The region’s extreme temperatures in the summer
and winter helped define Southwest Indian dress, diet, shelter and culture, McDaniel explains, and finding
food was the biggest hurdle. The tribes adapted by using ingenious food gathering methods. The Pueblos, for example,
dug canals to channel water to their crops and homes. The Havasupai pounded the
ground to drive out rabbits from the underbrush. The Apache hunted large
game, while others relied on smaller animals and seasonal nuts, fruits, and
seeds. Few, however, could withstand the violence of first contact when the
Spanish arrived in the 1500s. Lives were lost, children stolen, and many
enslaved. Deadly disease added to their misery. McDaniel describes the Pueblo
revolt in 1680 that caused the Spanish conquerors to flee, and the more
peaceful Spanish mission phase that followed, altering beliefs. In the 1800s,
white settlement was the next hurdle and Southwest Indians were forced to live
on reservations. Despite setbacks, Southwest Indians are proud of their
heritage and U.S. citizenship. In World War II, Navajo code talkers created
a code that the enemy never broke. Today there are forty-three “official”
Southwest Indian nations. Southwest Indians is a good resource and useful in Social Studies curriculum. Glossary (boldface
text) and Timeline are provided. Maps, photos, and sketches are on most pages.
Reading level Q.
Copyright 2013 © Sharon M. Himsl
Copyright 2013 © Sharon M. Himsl
I had to google what a Level Q book was. I learn somethingnew every day!!
ReplyDeleteFirst time for me, too:) Teachers probably like this.
ReplyDelete