Native AmericansAngie and Jayashree

All about Algonquians

How Did Algonquians live?

About 3,000 years ago, people who spoke Algonquian languages lived throughout New York State. They lived in houses made of a wood frame and covered with hides or woven reeds, The Algonquian families had raised platforms for sleeping and a stone fireplace for keeping warm and cooking.

In the summer, they camped near rivers or lakes to fish for tout, bass, and other fish. They would hunt birds and collect plants for food. They also farmed. In the winter, they moved from one place to another to follow the beaver, otter, moose, bear, and other animals that they hunted for food.

RolesWhat were the roles of the males and females?

• Men brought food to the village by hunting and fishing. They also chopped down trees to build longhouses. They also fought in wars.

• The women planted and harvested crops near the villages. They also made pottery, cooked food, made clothes, and cared for the children.

What types of crops did the Iroquois grow?

They grew many different crops. The three important crops they grew were maize, beans, and squash. They called these important plants the “three sisters.”

Maize was planted in small piles of soil about three feet apart. Later, beans were planted. Last came the squash, which was planted between the little hills of corn and beans. The crops could be stored for the winter so the Native Americans were able to stay in their villages all year.

How did Iroquois live?They lived in longhouses. A longhouse is a long narrow house that many families live in.

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