Life in a Longhouse Village

by Bobbie Kalman

The people who lived in the northeastern woodlands belonged to many nations and spoke many languages. This region’s two major language groups were Iroquoian and Algonkian. Some of the nations were friends, and some were not, but they all shared a common way of life—Life in a Longhouse Village. All these nations lived in permanent homes and grew crops. They all belonged to clans and each longhouse was the home of a clan. Children will learn about the fascinating lifestyle of these hunting and farming peoples who thanked the Earth each day for its many gifts. Topics include:
• clan and village life
• how a longhouse was built
• life inside the longhouse
• gifts from the land
• making clothes from hide
• the roles of men, women, children, and elders
• games and celebrations

Ages 8-12.