NATIVE AMERICAN NATIONS OF THE SOUTHEAST It is early July and the first corn has ripened Families gather around a fire in the village A spark shoots into the night sky as the children sit near an elder Soon he begins telling stories Visions of supernatural creatures and incredible events fill the minds of the listeners Many members of Southeastern Nations including the Seminole continue to perform traditional stories and songs today
Native American Nations have long lived in the Southeastern United States Archaeologists have found evidence of settlements dating back more than 18,000 years Tribes settled across an area that stretched across the present-day states of Louisiana Mississippi Tennessee Alabama Florida Georgia South Carolina North Carolina and Virginia The land has mountains forests swamps grasslands and rivers Major tribes in the Southeast include the Cherokee Chickasaw Choctaw Creek Natchez and Seminole LIVING IN VILLAGES Most of the tribes in the Southeast lived in villages Often they built these villages near rivers The central point of each village was its plaza People gathered at the plaza for special events dancing and games The village’s council house where ceremonies were held often stood in the plaza Water played a central role in the lives of Southeastern tribes 6
