Tribes like the Iroquois and Huron lived in large longhouses. Bark from elm trees covered the walls and roof. Most tribes lived in longhouse villages all year.

Tribes like the Abenaki lived in houses called Wigwams. They framed these houses with young trees and covered them with birch bark. When tribes moved, they rolled up the birch bark covers and left the frames behind.

Many tribes lived in the thick forests of the Northeast. This area stretches from what is now Maine to North Carolina.

Tribes held ceremonies to celebrate the seasons. The Green Corn Ceremony in late summer celebrated when the first ears of corn were ready to harvest. It lasted 4 days. Tribes celebrated with games, songs, and dances.

Many clans made up a tribe. Each tribe had its own language. Chiefs led most tribes with help from a council.

The land and waters of the Northeast were full of good things to eat. Men hunted ducks and turkeys, they ate wild salmon. Women gathered berries, honey and nuts. They grew corn beans and squash and they were called the "Three Sisters."

Their clothing matched the weather. Men wore breechcloths when it was warm and added leggings when it was cold. People often walked bare foot through the forests. When they wore shoes it was moccasins.