The diverse landscape of North America is home to a rich tapestry of indigenous cultures, each with its own unique history, traditions, and territories. The list provided offers a glimpse into the vast array of Native American tribes that have inhabited this continent for thousands of years.
From the icy shores of Alaska to the sun-baked deserts of the Southwest, from the dense forests of the Northeast to the rolling plains of the Midwest, Native American tribes have adapted to and thrived in a wide variety of environments. This diversity is reflected in their languages, customs, and ways of life.
The list includes some of the most well-known tribes, such as the Cherokee, Navajo, and Inuit, as well as many lesser-known but equally important nations. It’s important to note that this list is not exhaustive; there are hundreds of recognized tribes in North America, each with its own story and significance.
As you explore this list, remember that the locations mentioned often refer to historical or traditional territories. Many tribes have been displaced from their original lands due to historical events and government policies. Today, many Native Americans live on reservations, in urban areas, or in their ancestral territories, continuing to preserve and celebrate their rich cultural heritage.
This introduction to Native American tribes serves as a starting point for understanding the incredible diversity and resilience of indigenous peoples in North America. It invites further exploration into the complex histories, vibrant cultures, and ongoing challenges and triumphs of these nations.
United States
Northeast
- Abenaki: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont
- Mohawk: New York, Quebec, Ontario
- Oneida: New York, Wisconsin
- Onondaga: New York
- Cayuga: New York
- Seneca: New York, Oklahoma
- Penobscot: Maine
- Wampanoag: Massachusetts
Southeast
- Cherokee: North Carolina, Oklahoma
- Chickasaw: Mississippi, Oklahoma
- Choctaw: Mississippi, Oklahoma
- Creek (Muscogee): Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Oklahoma
- Seminole: Florida, Oklahoma
Great Lakes
- Ojibwe (Chippewa): Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ontario
- Potawatomi: Michigan, Wisconsin, Oklahoma
- Ho-Chunk (Winnebago): Wisconsin, Nebraska
Great Plains
- Lakota: North Dakota, South Dakota
- Dakota: Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota
- Cheyenne: Montana, Oklahoma
- Arapaho: Wyoming, Oklahoma
- Pawnee: Nebraska, Oklahoma
- Osage: Oklahoma
Southwest
- Navajo (Diné): Arizona, New Mexico, Utah
- Apache: Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma
- Hopi: Arizona
- Zuni: New Mexico
- Pueblo: New Mexico, Texas
California
- Chumash: Southern California
- Pomo: Northern California
- Yurok: Northern California
Pacific Northwest
- Tlingit: Alaska, British Columbia
- Haida: Alaska, British Columbia
- Chinook: Oregon, Washington
- Nez Perce: Idaho, Oregon, Washington
Alaska
- Inuit: Alaska, Northern Canada
- Aleut: Aleutian Islands
- Yupik: Alaska, Siberia
Canada
Eastern Canada
- Mi’kmaq: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island
- Huron-Wendat: Quebec
- Algonquin: Quebec, Ontario
Central Canada
- Cree: Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta
- Métis: Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta
Western Canada
- Haida: British Columbia
- Kwakwaka’wakw: British Columbia
- Coast Salish: British Columbia, Washington State
Northern Canada
- Dene: Northwest Territories, Yukon, Alaska
- Inuit: Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Northern Quebec
Mexico
- Maya: Yucatán Peninsula, Chiapas, Guatemala
- Aztec: Central Mexico
- Tarahumara: Chihuahua
