It isn’t surprising that today’s American culture can find many of its roots in Native American culture. From food to words to some aspects of government, we can find traces of Native American influence in everyday life. Something I recently learned is that we owe many of our favorite pastimes to Native Americans as well.
Native Americans relied on tobogganing, snowshoeing, canoeing, tug-of-war, relay races, lacrosse, and other ball games to entertain themselves, and still do today. Youth groups like Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts also have many programs based on Native American crafts and traditions.
It is always interesting to learn about our culture and how it has grown into what it is today. As a country mostly populated by immigrants from all over the world (besides Native Americans), it is plain to see why so much of our culture is a mishmash of others. I, for one, think that this phenomenon is amazing. It just shows all the wonderful things we can do when we work together and enjoy life.
Sources:
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs141p2_024206.pdf