What did Native American woman do?


Native Americans

History >> Native Americans for Kids

No matter where Native American tribes lived in America, there was a lot of work to be done to survive. They had to hunt, farm, prepare food for the winter, build homes, make their own clothing, and protect themselves from their enemies. In the typical Native American society, the work was divided up between the men and the women. They each took on different roles in society in their daily lives.

Although each tribe and region was different, the division of labor between men and women was generally similar across most of the Native American tribes. The women were responsible for work around the house, like cooking and raising the children. The men were responsible for work away from the home, like hunting and raiding.

Typical Women's Work

The women were generally in charge of the home and sometimes the fields. They worked extremely hard.

  • Cooking - The women cooked and prepared the meals. This could involve skinning and cleaning the animals, gathering fruit and nuts, building a fire, and smoking meat to be stored for the winter.
  • Crafts - Women had a variety of crafting skills they used around the home including making baskets, weaving cloth, preparing animal hides, and making clothing.
  • Harvesting - In many tribes the women were responsible for harvesting the crops. The men might help in this task, but it generally fell upon the women.
  • Other Jobs - Women had a variety of other jobs including raising the children and gathering firewood. When a tribe moved, it was generally the woman's job to pack up the home for moving and then set it back up at the new location.
Typical Men's Work

The men were in charge of the tribe's activities away from the home.

  • Hunting - The primary job of the men was hunting and fishing. Animals were not only used for food, but their skins were used for clothing and, in some cases, to make their homes.
  • Fighting - Men also were responsible for making war and protecting the village.
  • Crafts - Typical men's crafts had to do with their jobs such as weapons for hunting and boats for fishing and traveling.
  • Other Jobs - In most Native American tribes men were the political and religious leaders. They often did the heavy work such as building permanent homes and planting crops.
Interesting Facts about the Roles of Women and Men
  • In some cases, men worked on detailed crafts such as ceremonial jewelry.
  • The women were in charge in the homes. They often owned the home and everything in it.
  • Women were well respected in the tribes for their hard work and providing food from farming.
  • Men and women had different roles, but generally had equal rights. In some tribes, the chief was a man, but he was elected by the women.
  • Today, around 25% of the Native American tribes that are recognized by the federal government are led by women.
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History >> Native Americans for Kids

What did Native American woman do?

Women played a very important role in the life of the Native American.

Women played a very important role in the life of the Native American. They were more than just mothers of the tribes’ children. They were builders, warriors, farmers, and craftswomen. Their strength was essential to the survival of the tribes.

In most cases, the women were actually in charge of gathering materials and then building the homes for everyone. They maintained their homes’ roof, and created new houses for tribes to live in. This is an astonishing achievement, particularly for the women of their time. The men knew that women were the source of life, and provided a feeling of strength and consistency to their lives. The women in Native American tribes often helped their men to hunt down buffalo. Then, when the buffalo were harvested, the women were responsible for skinning, cutting, and cooking the animal. They also gathered firewood, cooked, and repaired clothing and shoes.


But Native American women were not simply homemakers. In fact, they served a great deal of important purposes and were essential to the tribe in other ways as well. Women made tools and weapons out of animal bone, which were absolutely necessary for everyone’s’ survival. Not only was there medicine men in the tribes but there were medicine women as well. In fact, many Native American tribes believed that the women had more healing power and were able to soothe ill souls with their chants and connection to the spirit world. Medicine women gathered herbs to create healing medicines for those who fell sick within the tribe. Additionally, most Native American women were master craftsman who made beautiful blankets, baskets, and pottery. Jewelry was another favorite. There was a feeling of mutual respect between the men and women of the tribes. They cared for their children and husbands, just like the modern woman does today. Without their help, it would have been very difficult for the Native Americans to survive.

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What activities did Native Americans do?

Native Americans enjoyed a wide variety of entertainment in the form of sports, games, music, dance, and festivals. Different tribes and regions had their own games and traditions. One of the most popular Native American sports was lacrosse.

Who is the most famous female Native American?

1. Wilma Pearl Mankiller. Wilma Pearl Mankiller (Cherokee) was born on November 18, 1945 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Wilma made history in numerous ways, including being the first woman elected to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation where she served three full terms.

Did Native American tribes have female warriors?

But very few Americans know the names of the many native female warriors who fought—and sometimes died—alongside their male brethren. The truth about the history of warfare is that women have always participated as warriors in defending their children, their families, their tribes, their nation.

How many genders did native Americans have?

Many indigenous communities recognize at least four genders (feminine female, masculine female, feminine male, masculine male), and most indigenous communities and tribes have specific terms for sexual and gender fluid members. The Two-Spirit tradition is primarily a question of gender, not sexual orientation.