Here is something amazing: wherever you live in North America, a Native nation lived there first — maybe for thousands of years! The rivers near your home had names in their languages. The trails they walked may have become your roads.
Many places still carry Native names today. Whole states do — like Ohio, Michigan, and Texas! Rivers like the Mississippi and cities like Chicago and Seattle have Native names too.
And here is the most important part: those nations are not just history — they are still here today, with communities all across the country. Today you will discover which nations lived — and still live — near YOU.
1. Who lived on the land near your home first?
2. Name two states with Native names.
3. What is the most important part to remember about Native nations?
With a grown-up's help, find out which Native nations lived in your area. You can search online for 'whose land am I on' or visit a library.
Then fill in your discoveries below!
| Question | My discovery |
|---|---|
| A nation that lived in my area | |
| A river, town, or state near me with a Native name | |
| One thing I learned about that nation | |
| Are they still a community today? |
1. How does it feel to know your home has such a long history — long before your house was built?
1. Native lived on this land first.
2. Many places still carry Native .
3. Nations lived here for of years.
4. Native nations are still here .
5. Trails and had names in Native languages.
Draw what the land where your home stands might have looked like 500 years ago — before any modern buildings. Forest? Plains? Who lived there?
| I learned... | Circle one |
|---|---|
| Which nation lived near my home | YES / NOT YET |
| Places near me with Native names | YES / NOT YET |
| That Native nations are still here today | YES / NOT YET |