Walk with the indigenous people who settled North America and with their descendants, whose more than 500 tribes range from the Arctic Circle across the Great Plains and to the Eastern Seaboard. Lakota, Cherokee, Navajo, Haida: these groups and many others are profiled in engaging entries and portrayed in magnificent images and maps that authentically evoke each tribe's history and character. Organized into eight geographical regions, this encyclopedic reference gives fascinating details about key tribes within each area: their beliefs, sustenance, shelter, alliances, interaction with nature, historic events, and more. Learn about the spiritual and cultural traditions of Native Americans across the continent...investigate how and when each tribe came into contact with Europeans, and how their lives changed. This is the definitive, insightful reference on Native Americans captivating and informative for all who appreciate history, diverse cultures, stunning images, and the artistry of maps.

Native American expert and Smithsonian curator emeritus Herman Viola consulted on and wrote the foreword for Indian Nations of North America. The book's eight Native American authors include renowned academics, national leaders, lecturers, and authors. Among them are noted lecturer George Horsecapture; professor and art expert Rick W. Hill, Sr.; Monacan official Karenne Wood; and National Museum of the American Indian training director Jill Norwood.