15 Facts About Native Americans Most People Don’t Know

The history of Native Americans is rich and diverse. For thousands of years, long before the first Europeans arrived, inestimable contributions had been made to the culture, science, and society. Their history is often forgotten or misunderstood. There are over 500 federally recognized tribes, each with its own traditions and languages.

Popular media typically paints native Americans with a broad brush, but their stories are full of interesting details, culture, richness, and resilience. In this article, we’ll look at some surprising and less commonly known facts about Native Americans that’ll give you a greater appreciation for their legacy.

The First Farmers of America

Native Americans were very much agricultural innovators long before Europeans arrived. Among their plants were maize (corn), potatoes, and tomatoes – crops that now feed billions worldwide. Indeed, about 60 percent of the world’s food supply today comes from native American crops first cultivated over 10,000 years ago.

The Original Environmentalists

Sustainable living is a long practice by Native American tribes, recognizing and accepting nature as a necessity to their existence. For example, the Iroquois used the ‘Seven Generations’ principle: they made decisions based on consideration of the well-being of descendants seven generations into the future. Their practice continues to serve as a model of modern environmental movements’ practices.

A Multilingual Legacy

In the pre-European age, there were over 300 distinct languages spoken by Native Americans. Navajo and some of these became critical to U.S. efforts during World War II. The Navajo Code Talkers helped beat the Germans by creating unbreakable codes in the Navajo language.

Matriarchal Societies Were Common

Many Native American cultures gave women a lot of power. For instance, tribes such as the Cherokee and Iroquois tribal systems were matrilineal, in which property and family names were passed down through the mother’s line. In many cases, women played important roles in decision-making.

Native Astronomy and Science

Native Americans were keen sky observers. For instance, the Ancestral Puebloans at Chaco Canyon built such buildings as the Sun Dagger, which points out the solstices with great precision. They knew as much about astronomy as the Egyptians and Mayans did.

Diverse Housing Styles

Native Americans adapted their housing to fit their environment, from the teepees of the Great Plains to the adobe homes in the Southwest. For example, the Inuit of the Arctic lived in igloos—light temporary shelters made of snow that insulated very well against the freezing temperatures.

Contributions to Medicine

Native Americans were herbal medicine pioneers—they experimented with plants such as willow bark (a precursor for aspirin) to treat pain and fever. They also introduced quinine, an effective malaria treatment, and practiced advanced medical techniques such as setting fractures and performing surgeries.

The Influence on Modern Democracy

One of the incredible things that inspired the U.S. Constitution was the Iroquois Confederacy, a brilliant political alliance of six nations. Benjamin Franklin was a fan of their system of government, which combined power amongst various groups without diminishing either unity or consensus.

Complex Trade Networks

Before the arrival of Europeans, Native Americans had built up great trade networks extending across the continent. Goods like shells, copper, obsidian, and turquoise traveled thousands of miles, depicting the people’s economic ingenuity and interconnectedness.

Misunderstood Population Numbers

The population of pre-Columbian Americas is often underestimated. Now historians believe that up to 20 million people inhabited North America before European colonization, making it a very densely populated and highly developed area.

The Power of Storytelling

Although some cultures use written records, Native Americans kept their histories, laws, and cultural stories through storytelling. Elders transmitted knowledge and thus kept their identities alive for generations.

Native Innovations in Sports

Now a popular sport, lacrosse originated from Native Americans who referred to it as “stickball.” It was more than just a game – it was a ceremonial activity and sometimes a way of settling conflict between different tribes, without bloodshed.

Surviving the Trail of Tears

The forced relocation of Native Americans called the Trail of Tears, displaced tens of thousands of people away from their homes and into great suffering. Nonetheless, tribes such as Cherokee and Choctaw have rebuilt vibrant communities and have preserved their cultural identities.

Rich Artistic Traditions

Pottery and beadwork are only a small part of Native American art. Tribes like the Haida and Tlingit of the Pacific Northwest are renowned for their totem poles, which tell intricate stories of ancestry and legend. Navajo weaving and Hopi kachina dolls are still admired throughout the world.

A Modern Renaissance

Native Americans are experiencing a cultural revival today. Native communities are reclaiming their narrative — from award-winning filmmakers like Sterlin Harjo to language preservation initiatives. TV shows like Reservation Dogs are just one example of their growing influence in contemporary culture.

Affordable Home Entertainment: 11 Must-Have Finds For Enhancing Your Family Movie Nights

Affordable Home Entertainment: 11 Must-Have Finds For Enhancing Your Family Movie Nights

10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience

Even if you’ve been on a safari in the past, an African photo safari is something you want to experience or at the very list add to the top of your bucket list.

But first, what is a photo safari? The phrase “photo safari” is not a common sentence structure but its meaning can be deduced easily. An African photo safari in general context means going on an adventure with the sole purpose of taking high-quality pictures.

10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience