Epidemics

Most Indian tribes were decimated by the many European illnesses that colonists brought over from the Old World. Some tribes were wiped out completely while others sustained 50% population losses or more.

Great Turtle

In many Indian creation myths, the Earth is imagined to be created from the slime on the back of a Great Turtle. While such mythologies can be quite fanciful, they can still be valuable in understanding Indian culture.

Manhattan Island

A missionary named John Heckewelder provides an account of the Dutch meeting Manhattan Island Indians, and then plying them with alcohol. The island became known as Manhattan, "the place where intoxication happens."

Alcoholism

European introduction of alcohol dealt a terrible blow to many Indian tribes. Alcoholism ran rampant, leading to further dependence on European goods and foolish land deals on the part of intoxicated Indians.

Wigwam

Many Indian peoples lived in wigwams or domed...