Come and Take It

Long before the arrival of Europeans, the land that eventually became Texas was occupied by a diverse array of native people. The interactions of these people with the Europeans shaped both the culture and history of the state. In this episode, we look at some of the tribes that predominated the eastern half of Texas.

Before we begin… What’s your favorite Texas river?

• Texas Indians—A thorough overview of many Texas tribes, intended to help teachers and students both in their study of native Texans. (Although the presentation is a little rough, the information is excellent.)

• Caddo Nation—The official website of the Caddo nation, one of the most important Native American tribes in Texas history.

• Caddo Mounds State Historic Site—The southwestern-most ceremonial center for the great Mound Builder culture, built more than 1,200 years ago. Continuing archaeological research brings us new insight into this civilization all the time.

• Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas—Relative latecomers to Texas, the Alabama-Coushatta tribe still played an important part in Texas history. Today they have one of two active reservations in the state.

• Texas Beyond History: Adventures into the Past—World of the Caddo—Texas Beyond History is a fantastic “virtual museum” of our great state. This particular section is designed for kids to learn all about the Caddo tribe.