The cultures of Native American tribes varied greatly from geographical
region to region. The tribes in the Pacific Northwest had plenty of time to be
involved in intricate forms of art. Great Plains tribes believed in magic
buffalos and were nomadic. Easten Woodlands tribes made some pottery. Great
Basin tribes worshipped the different seasons. Southwest tribes valued peace and
wisdom. California and Baja tribes prized staying in one place and didn't like
change.
The geography of the area in which a tribe lived determined the kind of
culture that each tribe developed. The surrounding environments of the different
areas often changed the beliefs of each tribe. Things such as food, plants,
animals, weather, etc. were often a factor in determining culture. Take the
Plains tribe the Cheyenne, for instance. They originated from the area around
Wisconsin. There, they fished, hunted, farmed and gathered like any other
Eastern Woodlands tribe. Later on, they moved to the Great Plains, where they
had the buffalo hunt and the sun dance. Geography affected Cheyenne culture in
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