Native Americans have lived in the Chesapeake region for at least 13,000 years.  In this unit, Sultana Education Foundation staff members discuss various cultural aspects of Native tribes, as well as some of the accounts of artist John White (1585) and Captain John Smith (1607 – 1609) at the point of “First Contact” between the indigenous people of the Bay area and early English settlers.  Each lesson below contains a video, written curriculum, and links to additional resources.  To access the materials, simply CLICK ON THE TILE related to the topic that interests you.

To find MSDE Social Studies curriculum standards that align with the Native American unit, click HERE.

Natural Resources
The varied ecosystems of the Chesapeake Bay provided the Native Americans with an abundance of natural resources.  The rivers allowed
Indigenous People Today
Native Americans are not an extinct culture.  Today tens of thousands of people across the watershed identify as American Indian.
John Smith’s Second Voyage
John Smith set out from Jamestown with 14 men in a small boat in order to explore and map the
John Smith’s Map
John Smith produced the first accurate map of the Chesapeake Bay.  This document not only shows us the geographical features
Who Lived Where?
The Native Americans of the 18th century Chesapeake Bay did not write their own history, but through documents like John
John White’s Clay Pot
Using John White’s 1585 watercolor paintings as well was pottery shards discovered in the Chesapeake region, this clay pot was
Flint Knapping
The technique used to sharpen stones for knives, spears, and arrowheads is known as flint knapping.  Today these stones serve
Projectile Points
This collection of 300 points were all found around the northern portions of the Chesapeake Bay.  Today these stones serve
Bows and Arrows
This reproduction offers an example of what Native American bows and arrows may have looked like.  These tools would’ve allowed
Stone Axes
Stone axes were a crucial tool for constructing dugout canoes as well as longhouses and wigwams.  This reproduction offers an
Their Sitting at Meate
John White’s 1585 image of Native Americans eating shows that meals were a communal activity and that tribes were consuming
John Smith’s First Voyage
John Smith set out from Jamestown with 14 men in a small boat in order to explore and map the
John White’s Fishing Scene
John White’s 1585 painting shows multiple fishing techniques implemented by Native Americans.  This image also highlights the abundance of marine
John White’s Pomeiock
John White’s 1585 painting illustrates a palisaded, or fortified, village.  This was a technique used to protect its inhabitants from
John White’s Archer
This is John White’s 1585 painting of an archer.  His tools, clothing, hair, and jewelry help illustrate features that would’ve
John White’s Secoton
John White’s 1585 painting of the village of Secoton highlights how a successful tribe required its members to perform a
John White’s Native Woman
John White’s 1585 portrait of ‘One of the Wives of Wingino’ offers an example of Native American tattoos.  Printables: Additional