Algonquin Native American Tribe

1. Algonquin Native American Tribe by: Erick Moore

2. Region The Algonquin tribe lived in the Eastern Woodlands. The Indians in the Eastern Woodland Culture lived east of the Plains Indians.  At that time much of the land between the Mississippi River and the east coast was covered with forest. These Indians, like the Indians of the other cultures depended on the natural resources around them for all of their basic needs.  Because these Indians lived in the forests, they were called the Eastern Woodland Indians. Their food, shelter, clothing, weapons, and tools came from the forests around them. They lived in villages near a lake or stream. There were many diverse groups within the Eastern Woodland People. 

3. Foods of the Algonquin • The Algonquins were semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers. That means they didn't do much farming, and moved around a lot as they collected food for their families. Besides fish and meat, the Algonquins gathered berries and wild plants to eat. They also traded with neighboring tribes to get corn, and made maple syrup from tree sap.

4. Clothing of the Algonquin • Algonquin women wore long dresses with removable sleeves and the men wore breechcloths and leggings. Both genders wore moccasins on their feet and cloaks in bad weather. Later, the Algonquins adapted European costume such as cloth blouses and jackets, decorating them with fancy beadwork. The Ojibwa chief to the left is wearing the same style of clothing Algonquin men did. Here are more pictures of Ojibwa and Algonquin clothing styles, and some photographs and links about Native American clothing in general. • Moccasin

5. Shelter • The Algonquins didn't live in tepees. For most of the year they lived in settled villages of birchbark houses, called waginogans or wigwams. During the winter, the village split up to go to hunting camps, and each Algonquin family built a smaller cone-shaped wigwam like this for their camp, also made from birch bark. Here are some more pictures of American Indian houses like the ones the Algonquins used.

6. Weapons and Tools • Algonquin hunters and warriors used bows and arrows, spears, and knives. Hunters also built traps like the ones in this picture to catch deer and other game animals. Algonquin fishermen used pronged spears to stab fish from their canoes, instead of fishing with hooks.

7. Interesting Facts *The leader of each Algonquin band is called ogima or ogema, which is translated as "chief" in English. The ogima used to be chosen by tribal council members, often from the last chief's sons, nephews, or sons-in-law. Today ogimas are elected by the Algonquins, just likegovernors or mayors.* *Somebands are English-speaking, and others are French-speaking. About half the Algonquin population also speak their native Algonquin language. Algonquin is a musical language that has complicated verbs with many parts. If you'd like to learn a few easy Algonquin words, "kwey" (rhymes with "day") is a friendly greeting and "meegwetch" means "thank you." * *Dance and music makes up a large part of Algonquin celebrations.

8. References *www.google.com *portfolio.educ.kent.edu/mcclellandr/zackthezipper/easternwoodland.htm *www.bigorrin.org/algonquin_kids.htm