Quick Facts

First Nations people felt that the European standard of justice brought to North America was not acceptable because it was barbaric. Especially distasteful were the practices of hanging and imprisonment: both were considered a waste of resources.

Across North America, groups and cultures were identified by different names. These names were usually given to them by neighboring tribes and missionaries and by their own people. Some tribal groups were known by as many as 15 or 20 different names. The names often reflected what tribes thought of each other.

Scholars have found notable similarities between some North American languages and the language of Libya.

Columbus made four voyages to the new world, the first time in 1492, which took him to the Caribbean Islands; a second took him to Cuba; a third to the northeast coast of South America and a fourth took him to Central America. He never did set foot on the land that he is given credit for discovering.

There are many legends from First Nations history that tell of events similar to those described in the biblical tale of Noah's Ark. There were many different versions of First Nation legends that dealt with a great flood. Many talk of retreating to mountain tops to avoid the high waters.

Even though there were hundreds of different cultures spread across North America, most of the games that all First Nations people played were very similar. The games played across the continent were remarkably similar in spite of other wide cultural differences.

One major difference between First Nations languages and European languages is that, in general, First Nation languages have remained constant over centuries while many European languages are in an ongoing state of change. This is one reason why understanding ancient First Nations legends is quite easy: the wording has remained the same over very long periods of time.

In North America there were no such things such as an First Nations queen or princesses. Only in Mexico did anyone get to a king or prince-like status. No other north american tribes had royalty like the European cultures.

The language of the Inuit was spoken over the largest single geographic region. The entire top of North America shared a common language that varied only slightly in dialect.

Before Europeans came to North America, First Nations farmers had 40 different food crops had been domesticated and were in production by 1492.

The Micmac people lived on the east coast of North America where the United States and Canada meet. They used a sled for pulling loads in deep snow. It was called a "Taba'gan". In many parts of North America today, children play with sleds called toboggans, which were named after the Micmac sleds.

Totem poles are very well known and popular in the Northwest Coast culture. The word "totem" comes from the Ojibway word "otoeman" which means "he is my relative".

Before Europeans arrived 500 years ago, approximately 60% of First Nations were involved in farming as a way of life. Foods introduced by First Nations people now make up a significant part of the world's food production. Approximately 50% of the value in today's world food production comes from original North American plants. Near the top of the list are corn and potatoes, the second and third most popular foods in the world.

First Nation people were the first to make popcorn, peanut butter, and pumpkin pie.

First Nations men have one characteristic that sets them apart from almost all other races that inhabit North America and much of the world. Native american men hardly ever experience dramatic hair loss or go bald.