Here is some basic information about terms used on the profile pages for each tribe.

Nomadic, Semi-Nomadic, or Agricultural

Nomadic and Agricultural groups both have values and behaviors that are tied to the changing seasons.

Nomadic tribes were hunter/gatherers. At times they would do raids on agricultural villages. They took advantage of Spanish horses, which helped to significantly increase their territories. This allowed for more connections to more Nations and it made them strong warriors in the fights against U.S. expansion. The Comanche, for example, practiced “leave no trace” and so it was nearly impossible for the U.S. military to track them. All of this, though, made nomadic tribes targets for U.S. military violence. The reprisal against nomadic tribes was extreme, such as making the Chiricahua and White Springs Apache prisoners of war for over two decades.

Kinship: Clans, Bands & Moieties

Kinship is the web of social relationships that form an important part of the lives of all humans in all societies.

Lineage is tracing family relation to a single ancestor.

Often, families with connected lineage would form a Clan. Agricultural societies tended to have societies built on lineage and clans. Family structure and people’s roles within the family had a significant impact on their culture, values, and beliefs.

Because it was easier to travel in smaller groups, nomadic tribes had kinship that was not necessarily based on a family/blood relation. They have Bands, which is similar to extended family.

Moieties are when a society has two distinct descent groups. Or, it’s a society that has only two clans. Native Nations that speak Tewa are two-clan societies. Some call it a dual organization. This system came from their origin story.

When the Tewa people emerged from the underworld, they split into two groups: the Winter Clan, who walked along the east side of the river, and the Summer Clan, who walked along the west side. Eventually, the two clans rejoined and formed the pueblos. Each clan is associated with different ideas, similar to Yin Yang or Jung's anima and animus. Winter people are aligned with masculinity, ice, hunting, and turquoise. Summer people are aligned with femininity, the Sun, agriculture, and squash.

Winter and Summer people are mixed within each Tewa Nation. A Winter Chief rules part of the year and the Summer Chief rules the other. Some say the Summer Chief appears to be favored but that may be because the Summer season is longer.

This dual organization appears throughout the Tewa culture.

So - why is this important for healthcare?

Just like language, the society in which we are raised shapes our beliefs and attitudes. Our society defines our relationships within our community and with those outside of it. Our society is tied to our mental and spiritual health.

Understanding even these basic societal structures for the Nations in your community will help you understand how a tribe operates, what they value, how they govern, and more. Knowing a little about the tribes’ societal structures will make it easier for you to build strong relationships within those communities. And, understanding these social structures may inspire health initiatives and programs that are culturally relevant.