Before the 49th parallel became the invisible border between Canada and the United States of America, the only barriers separating the many North American Native tribes were geographical and language differences. Although most native groups believe they have belonged on the North American continent since 'time immemorial', as stated in the Declaration of the First Nations, anthropologists have a different theory.
At the end of the Late Pleistocene Ice Age (15,000 to 10,000 years ago) the Pinedale, Wisconsinan glaciation covered central North America, and the Fraser glaciation engulfed the Pacific Cordillera of North America. Scientists believe Asia and North America were either connected, or closely accessible across the Bering Strait where hunters from Asia, probably Siberia, followed the herds of animals, such as bison, caribou, musk-ox and mammoths into what is now Alaska and on down through the closest two 'corridors' between the glacier regions. One... (... more information below the photos)
Medicine Hat Attraction Saamis Teepee Alberta Canada As the world's tallest teepee, the Saamis Teepee is a popular tourist attraction in the city of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. |
Indian Mask This Decorated Mask is worn during a Vancouver Island First Nations ceremony. |
Native American Culture Native American Culture celebrated by the Chippewas of Sarnia |
Eskimos In Alaska It is not unusual to see the Eskimo people in traditional garb even in today's modern Alaska. |
Saamis First Nations Teepee Medicine Hat Alberta Canada The largest teepee in the world, the Saamis Teepee in the city of Medicine Hat, in Alberta Canada. Measuring over 215 feet high and built to withstand extreme temperatures, it is a popular roadside attraction. |
Totem Pole Old Masset A close up of a totem pole in Old Masset in the Queen Charlotte Islands in British Columbia, Canada. |
Native Petroglyphs Utah A mosaic of native petroglyphs on Newspaper Rock near Canyonlands National Park in Utah, USA. |
Newspaper Rock Native Petroglyphs A large collection of petroglyphs on Newspaper Rock near Canyonlands in Utah, USA. |
Native Indian Girl A cute Native Indian Girl adorned in her customary dress at a pow wow in Alberta, Canada. |
Chilkat Dancers Haines Chilkat Dancers strike a pose for the photographer at the MV Fairweather presentation in Haines, Alaska. |
Chilkat Dancers Chilkat tribe dancer in traditional costume depicting an animal of the area in Haines, Alaska. |
Native American Presentation These two Chilkat Dancers wearing intriguing costumes entertained at the MV Fairweather presentation in Haines, Alaska. |
Native American Culture Alaska A Colourful Display of American Native Dress and Dance backdropped by the symbols of their People in Juneau Alaska. |
Native American Dance The Dances of the Alaskan Native Americans have been passed down through the years and tell Tales of the History of the Tribe, |
The Family Guy The Family Guy in fFull Traditional Costume enjoys life with his young family at the Mt Roberts Tramway Terminal in Juneau Alaska |
Native American Totem These Totem Poles in Totem Bight State Historical Park in Ketchikan Alaska is on the site of an old fishing camp. |
Alaska Native Art Alaska Native Art, Totem Bight State Historic Site |
Native Drummers The Drummers beat out a welcome to Visitors to the Biennial Sealaska Celebration in Juneau. |
Saxman Totem Park Photo Every Painted Design is telling a story in the Saxman Totem Park in Ketchican, Alaska. |
Native American Artist Nathan Jackson, a Tlingit artist is a world famous carver who has been creating Indian Art since he was twenty years olds. |
Nathan Jackson Native Artist Tlingit Carver Nathan Jackson can be seen at work in the Carving Shed at Saxman Totem Park in Ketchikan Alaska. |
Cultural Dance With Mask Dancer wearing a Traditional Mask in front of a Totem Pole on Vancouver Island B C |
Indian Pictures A Barefoot Dancer twirls in a Cloak decorated with Indian symbols. |
Canadian Indians Young Dancers The Young Dancers of this Vancouver Island Tribe enjoy the Ceremony. |
Dancing In Long House The Traditional Costumes of the Elders dancing in the Long House are unique and handcrafted. |
Drummers And Singers The First Nations Drummers and Singers keep the ancient music alive at this Vancouver Island celebration. |
Aboriginal Culture Chief Glendale holds the intricately carved Talking Stick of his Tribe. |
Native American Symbols Stock Photo of Native American Symbols on a Meeting House |
Native American Pictures A Proud Member of the First Nations People shows his full Traditional Regalia to the audience. |
Pictures Of Native Americans A photo of a native american indian, photographed on a Ontario vaction in the tourist attraction of the Old Fort William Historic Park close to Thunder Bay, Ontario |
History Of Native American Indians American Native Exhibit at the Parry Sound Museum showing a Canoe and other necessary hunting equiment at Parry Sound Ontario. |
 |
|
 |
... corridor was along the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains, and the other, probably the easier one, was down the water route of the Alaska-British Columbia coastline.
Samples of soil and plant roots taken from the ocean floor (about 95 meters down), north of Vancouver Island, have proved to be about 10,500 years old and would indicate the area was once dry land. The cultural classification of the Aboriginal people when the first Europeans explorers came to North America were - Arctic - Sub Arctic - North East - South East - Plains - Northwest Coast - Plateau - Great Basin - California and Southwest. Today, in Canada and Alaska the three Aboriginal groups, representing almost 4% of the population, are the First Nations, Inuit (the Northern Eskimo-Aleut) and the Metis (a part native, French-speaking people).
Many native tribes spread across both Canada and the United states such as the Huron, Iroquois and the Algonkin in the East. The Dakotas, Cree and Chippewa in the mid-West and the Chilliwack, Okanagon and Nooksack in the West, just to name a few. Unfortunately, although there are 296 native languages spoken north of Mexico - it is likely that only 3 will survive over time - Cree, Ojibwa and Inuktitut. Some communication will always be preserved from ancient times with the petroglyphs, the carvings on stone, which are all over the world (except Antarctica). North America has some fine examples such as Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument in Utah, which is about 2,000 years old.
Each tribe of North American Natives have their own traditional ceremonies, dress and customs. The coastal people of Alaska and British Columbia made large dug-out canoes to travel from one isolated village to the next to celebrate the feasts in the "longhouse" - literally a long house decorated with painted symbols such as thunderbirds, whales and bears. Dances and drumming cadences have been passed down from generation to generation, and are still performed with dignity. In the village of Masset on the Queen Charlotte Islands, off the coast of British Columbia, there are excellent examples of longhouses and totem poles. Totem Poles are similar to a family crest, they tell of the unity of the people and their traditions. There are many carvers still creating Totem Poles and Masks, one master carver Nathan Jackson works at his art, during the summer months, at the Saxman Totem Park in Ketchikan, Alaska. When travelling through Canada and the United States there is probably very few places one could visit that has not been touched by the first native inhabitants of the North American continent.
Our Native American Pictures showing the rich and diverse culture of the Native American people is seen in many different forms. Their legends and myths are expressed through dance and song, as well as through elaborate costumes.
Native American artists draw inspiration from their natural surroundings, portraying images of birds, marine creatures, and characters of legends.
Here is a selection of Native American pictures which give an insight into the aboriginal culture, art, and way of life.
Here is some info for one of the very best native art galleries: Native American Art Gallery
Please use the search (powered by Google) to find what you looking for - give it a try - you will be surprised how well it works!
Fall Pictures
