In this section of the website you will find an expanding library of information on wilderness survival tips and outdoor skills. Topics range from friction fires to shelter building, primitive cooking, flintknapping, and much more.
Wilderness survival tips help people survive in the outdoors, weather the aftermath of natural disasters, and build greater connections with the natural world.
Articles often include references to helpful books, materials, and educational workshops. I hope you enjoy these resources.
Basics of Wilderness Survival Shelters
Understanding how to create effective wilderness survival shelters is one of the most important outdoor skills. From keeping you protected from the elements to providing a place to rest, wilderness shelters serve a key role in survival situations. Not only do they provide for physical needs, but also help create a sense of home in the wilderness. Though each season and environment presents its own challenges, there are several universal principles for creating effective wilderness survival shelters:
Location
The most important aspect of making wilderness shelters is choosing a good location. A good location is one that 1) provides easy access to ample building materials such as dead sticks, leaves, and grasses; and is 2) away from major hazards such falling branches, pooling water, and insect nests. You also want a location that has a large enough flat area to allow you to lie down and sleep comfortably.
Size
A common mistake when building wilderness survival shelters is to build them too large. Not only does it take more materials, effort, and time to construct, but often ends up being cold due to the amount of space on the inside. Effective wilderness shelters are often small on the inside - just large enough to fit your body to conserve body heat.
Structure
All shelters need to be constructed with safety in mind. Large strong branches can provide the initial framework for many types of survival shelters. Typically, branches used for framework should be strong enough to easily support the weight of an adult. This is especially important for lean-to and debris hut style shelters.
Insulation and Cover
Whether you are in a hot and sunny environment or a cold and wet forest, insulation and cover is important to keep you protected from the outside elements. Leaves, grasses, small sticks, ferns, and pine needles are types of debris that can be used for insulation. Be sure to layer large amounts of debris on your shelter. Also, don’t forget to use debris to create a thick mattress on the inside of your shelter to insulate you from the cold ground. Bark or soil can be added on the top and sides of your shelter to create a barrier from cold wind and rain.
Heat Source
In cool and cold environments the primary shelter concern is staying warm to avoid hypothermia. With wilderness survival shelters, there are typically two choices for a heat source: your own body heat or heat from a fire. Wilderness shelters that rely on your own body heat as the primary heat source (such as a debris hut), need to be small on the inside and have lots of extra insulating debris (imagine your mummy sleeping bag with ten times as much insulation). If you plan to use a fire on the inside of your shelter as a heat source, carefully plan how it will be tended all night, be sure to collect a full night’s worth of firewood before dark, and be extra careful not to burn down your shelter!
Types of Shelters
The type of shelter you choose depends on many factors including what materials are available, environmental conditions, choice of heat source, and whether it will be a personal or group shelter. A great personal shelter heated by your own body heat is a debris hut.
Lean-to shelters can work well as a relatively safe,
fire-heated personal shelter:
When planning a trip think about which types of wilderness survival shelters would be the best options for the season and environment you will be in. A great habit is to practice noticing good shelter locations while hiking.
Building wilderness survival shelters can be quite fun and rewarding. Spending a night in a shelter built in one day with your own hands provides an amazing sense of self sufficiency and accomplishment. With an understanding of the basic principles and hands-on practice, wilderness survival shelters can help you weather almost any survival situation.
Making Fire with a Bow and Drill
There is nothing quite like using a bow and drill to make your very own fire completely from scratch! Of the many ways to make primitive-style friction fires, the bow and drill is one of the most practical methods to learn. The technique works well in nearly all environments across the globe.
Here are guidelines to help you make your own friction fire kit:
Wood Selection
The first and most important step in making an effective friction fire kit is proper wood selection. Dead, dry wood of medium-soft density is needed for a bow and drill kit. Look for dead branches on trees in your area. The following tree species can provide good material of the correct density:
Collect a couple branches that are at least wrist-thick and two feet long. You can also start with lumber, rather than harvested materials. It can be easier to learn with lumber, as less carving is needed for construction. An eight foot clear cedar one by four provides ample material.
How to Create the Bow and Drill Kit
There are several parts in a bow and drill kit. Each of the different parts are explained below:
The Fireboard
The fireboard is the bottom piece where a coal is formed. Start with one of your branches or boards and cut off a 12 inch long piece. Split and whittle it down to a board shape that is 12 inches long, about two to four inches wide, and one inch deep. Make sure the bottom is flat.
The Drill
This small upright piece spins on top of the fireboard, creating friction and heat. Cut off an eight inch long section of branch or board. Split and/or carve it down to a dowel shape with a one inch diameter. The top end is then carved down to a tapered point, like a pencil. The bottom end is then carved down to a blunt point.
The Handhold
The handhold is the piece that goes on top of the drill, which allows you to apply downward pressure onto the drill and fireboard. Use another piece of wood and carve it down to about the size of a full bar of soap. Round the edges so that it is comfortable to hold. On the bottom, carve in a socket that will fit the top of the drill, about a half inch deep. The handhold socket and the top of the drill should be lubricated. You can use soap, wax, waxy vegetation (such as hemlock tree needles), or almost any other type of lubricant. Be careful not to lubricate the bottom of the drill or fireboard.
The Bow and Bowstring
As a primary component of the kit, the bow is used to rotate the drill back and forth. Find a sturdy, lightweight, gently curving branch that is approximately as long as your arm with a one to two inch diameter. This makes a good bow. A six foot length of very strong cordage is needed for the bowstring. Parachute cord or quarter inch diameter nylon rope are good choices. Traditionally, cordage was made out of local plant materials such as dogbane and nettle. With practice, even rootlets and tree barks can be turned into effective cordage for a bowstring. Tie the bowstring on with a permanent knot on one end of your bow, while leaving the other end of it tied with an adjustable knot. This will allow you to adjust it when necessary.
The Coal Catcher
This is a small, flat piece of material which will catch and collect the dust that will be formed by the drill and fireboard. A thin, flat piece of bark, a stiff plant leaf, or a small piece of paper can work as a coal catcher. It is placed directly under the notch you will cut into the fireboard.
Tinder Bundle
This is a ball of dry, fluffy, flammable materials such as shredded cedar bark, cattail down, fireweed seed fluff or similar materials. You can pull apart jute twine (sold at hardware stores) for a quick tinder bundle. You'll need about a softball-sized amount of tinder to use for igniting the coal produced by the bow and drill kit.
Using the Bow and Drill Kit
Now that you have created the basic parts of the bow and drill kit, its time to put them together and learn how to use them as one unit. Correct body posture and form are very important in order to create a fire with the bow and drill kit. The following steps illustrate key points:
Step 1
Carve in a small starter hole into the top of the fireboard, about one inch from the edge of the fireboard, to fit the bottom of the drill. Now you can wrap the drill into the bowstring so that the string wraps around the drill once, very tightly. It should be somewhat difficult to twist the drill into place. Now place the bottom of the drill into the fireboard starter hole and put the handhold onto the top of the drill. Keep the drill straight upright, perpendicular to the ground.
Step 2
If you are right handed, put your left foot on the fireboard (use your other foot if you are left handed), close to the place where the drill will spin. Then, place your left hand on the handhold so that your wrist is tight against your shin. This will help you keep the drill steadier as it spins, and allow for more even downward pressure. Move your right leg back behind you so your knee rests on the ground. This will create space for bowing and help stabilize your position. Now, you can grasp the bow with your right hand start moving the bow slowly back and forth. Take it slow at first and gradually increase speed. Keep going for a little while, until you see smoke coming from where the drill and fireboard meet, then stop.
Step 3
Take the drill off the fireboard and out of the handhold. Carve a pie-slice-shaped notch into the fireboard where the drill is rotating on the fireboard. This notch should form a little wedge that is broadest at the edge of the board and sharply tapers to a point just short of the center of the socket you just burned into the board. This will allow the fine wood dust to collect into a pile. This is where the coal will form. Make sure you have the coal catcher positioned right under this notch so that the dust will collect on it. That way you can move the coal into the tinder bundle with ease.
Step 4
Now you can return to bowing. Again, start off moving the bow in slow, smooth and flowing movements keeping it parallel to the ground. Keep moving the bow in a steady rhythmic flowing motion, speeding up as you go. Once you start seeing a lot of smoke, you can start speeding up even faster and applying more downward pressure with your handhold. As it starts to smoke a lot you might be tempted to stop. Keep going! Keep going until you get tired and have to stop. Check the darkness of your dust, the darker the better! You need to look closely now, and see if the little dust pile is making smoke on its own. If you see smoke coming from your dark dust pile, you likely have a coal.
Step 5
Let the coal sit there and burn a little bit until you can see the tiny orange glow of the coal growing. Now you can carefully move the coal in its dust bed and transfer it to the center of the tinder bundle. Shape the tinder bundle into a nest shape and partially enclose the coal. Then gently and steadily blow on the coal, until it bursts into flames.
Fire!!!…
Now you can build your fire by nestling the burning tinder bundle into a well made tipi of woody materials. It is best if they are stacked so that the finest materials are on the inside, and the wood pieces are progressively larger as you go out. Now you’ve done it! You made a primitive friction fire with a bow and drill!
Making Arrowheads:
The Art of Flint Knapping
Flint knapping is the age-old art of making arrowheads and other edged stone tools. Hunter-gatherers relied upon this key wilderness survival skill to create important tools and hunting implements. Many people continue to practice the skill today, including traditional bowyers, experimental archaeologists, and primitive skills enthusiasts.
At its most basic level, flint knapping consists of: breaking open a piece of parent material (called a core); striking flakes off of that core; and then shaping those flakes into the intended tool.
In general, the process of making arrowheads includes the following primary concepts:
1. Safety and Ethics
2. Choosing the Proper Materials
3. Percussion Flaking
4. Pressure Flaking
5. Notching
Safety and Ethics
Because flint knapping includes breaking apart rocks with force, where sharp flakes can fly off in any direction, it is very important to wear safety glasses. Gloves, shoes, and sturdy pants are also highly recommended. It is also important to flint-knap in a place where you can easily catch the sharp flakes that will fall to the ground (so that they are not accidentally stepped-on). You can put down a tarp or sweep up afterwards. Also, use a well-ventilated area, so not to breathe the dust created by breaking rocks.
When it comes to the ethics of flint knapping, the primary concern is to be mindful of the archaeological record. To an archaeologist, piles of flaked stone (debitage) can indicate the presence of an ancient village or camp. To prevent your work from being confused as archaeological evidence, always add a penny or two to your pile of debitage and be sure to sign and date your completed work with a diamond-tipped pen.
Choosing the Proper Materials
The best stones for making arrowheads include flint, chert, obsidian, jasper, quartzite and other stones that are somewhat brittle and have a fine-grained, uniform texture that is free of cracks, fissures, and fractures. Glass and porcelain can also be used. You can also tap the stone and listen to the pitch. Stones that produce a higher pitch when tapped are generally better for knapping.
To break apart and shape your material you will be using some simple tools for percussion and pressure flaking. These tools can be made out of antler, soft metal, soft stone, bone, or very hard wood. The best pressure flaking tools are made with an antler or copper tip.
Percussion Flaking
Percussion flaking is the act of striking your material to break it apart in a controlled manner. In a uniform material, the force from a strike moves out from the point of impact in a cone shape that is roughly 100 degrees wide. This is called a Hertzian Cone (see figure 1). Understanding this concept of how forces move through stone allows you to angle your stone to break it apart in an intentional way.
If your parent material (also called a core) has rounded edges, the first step is to break it apart so that you have good edges to work with. This can be done by using a large hammering tool. The goal is to create platform edges that are less than 90 degrees
The next step is to strike flakes off of your core using smaller striking tools. It is these flakes that you will be further shaping into implements such as arrowheads
Pressure Flaking
Pressure flaking is the act of using a pressure flaking tool (such as an antler) to load significant pressure against an edge and then popping off a long thinning flake. Pressure flaking allows a flake to be carefully shaped down into the finished tool.
To pressure flake, an edge often needs to be strengthened by abrading it to remove thin weak pieces. A platform is then picked out, which is a point on the edge that sits below the centerline of your flake. The pressure flaking tool is then pushed onto the platform with significant force and a small thin flake is popped off of the piece
Notching
Notching is the final step in making arrowheads. The notches are made using a combination of pressure flaking and abrading to carve out the gaps that allow the arrowhead to be bound to an arrow shaft
You now have a completed arrowhead. You can haft it onto an arrow shaft and begin working on another. Happy knapping!
Wilderness Survival Foods
Knowing core survival foods is a key to wilderness survival. Though humans can survive for three weeks without food, we probably wouldn’t choose to go that long. Most natural environments are filled with a variety of items that can meet our nutritional needs. Plants can often provide the most readily available foods, though insects and small wild game can also support our dietary needs in a survival situation.
Common and Abundant Plant Food Sources in North America include:
Cattails (pictured above)
Cattails are known as the “supermarket of the swamp”, as no matter which season it is, there are always edible parts available on the cattail plant. The roots, shoots, and pollen heads can be eaten.
Conifers
The inner bark of conifers, know as the cambium layer, is full of sugars, starches and calories. It can be eaten on most evergreen, cone-bearing trees [except for yew, identified by its red berries, in which all parts are poisonous]. The inner bark should be scraped out and cooked to convert the fibers into a more digestible form.
Grasses
All grasses are edible. The leaves can be chewed and the juices swallowed - though be sure to spit out the un-digestable fibers. Where the base of the leaves meet the root is a small white part of the stem/root structure, called the root corm. It can be roasted and eaten like a potato.
Oaks
All acorns, the nuts produced by oak trees, can be leached of their bitter tannic acids, and then eaten, providing an excellent source of protein, fats, and calories. The acorns can be placed in a net bag in a stream for a day or put into several changes of boiling water to extract the tannins. White oaks have the least amount of tannins and therefore the best flavor.
Be sure to properly identify any plant you plan on consuming (using field guides and/or the guidance of an experienced naturalist). Many plants can be difficult to identify and some edible plants have deadly poisonous look-alikes. If you cannot identify the plant, do not eat it.
Additional sources for survival foods:
Insects
Ants, grubs, and grasshoppers can be eaten. A good way to get over our natural resistance to eating bugs is to toss them into a stew with other ingredients.
Fish
All freshwater fish in North America are edible. In a survival situation, fish can be caught using a sharpened stick as a fish spear. For small minnows, a t-shirt can be used as a fish net.
Birds
All birds are also edible. Game birds such as grouse and pheasants can be captured using snares or hunting implements such as a throwing stick, though it can be very difficult if you have not practiced these trapping/hunting. In the spring, bird eggs can provide an excellent survival food.
Small Mammals
Small mammals including squirrels and rabbits can also be captured with practice. Traps and snares are often most effective, though a throwing stick can used too.
Especially when it comes to survival foods, the more you know about nature, the better you will be able to locate and obtain sustenance. For example, wildlife tracking skills enable you to effectively locate wild game for food. Knowledge of plant identification can help you find a variety of wild edibles to eat. Purchasing a quality wild edible field guide is a great next step to learning more about survival foods.
We are surrounded by wild edible plants everyday. In trying to learn about them, you might quickly feel overwhelmed by the staggering amount of information available. Here are some important consideration for getting started:
- Identifying Plants
- Benefits
- Hazards
- Major Groupings
Identifying Plants
It is vital that you can identify the wild edible plants that you intend to utilize. Some edible plants have deadly poisonous look-alikes. Good field guides are invaluable. The best guides clearly explain identification, collection, and preparation techniques. We highly recommend the following guides:
- Identifying and Harvesting Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants by Steve Brill
- Discovering Wild Plants by Janice Schofield
Benefits
Wild edible plants are very beneficial for you and your family for many reasons. First of all, there are wild edibles growing near you no matter what part of the world you live in. Chances are good, you can find a large number of species where you live and some of them are likely to be plentiful.
Secondly, many wild plants are highly nutritious and can be even more nutritious than many store bought fruits and vegetables. For instance, dandelion which you might think of as little more than a garden-variety weed is actually an incredibly nutritious wild edible plant. In a single hundred gram amount of cooked dandelion greens, there is 11,000 mg of Potassium, 18 mg of vitamin C and 42 mg of calcium.
You might consider eating the dandelions in your yard, rather than removing or poisoning them. Though if you are going to consume wild edible plants, make sure you also consider the hazards.
Hazards
There are some dangers in collecting and eating wild edibles. To begin with, think about the location you are gathering and consider the following:
- Is the area sprayed with pesticides or herbicides?
- Is the area close to a busy road or other source of pollution?
- Does your target species have any poisonous look-alikes?
Also consider that wild edible plants are often more nutritionally concentrated than store bought foods - you may not need to eat as much quantity as you would of foods from home. It is also wise to start off eating very small quantities of wild edible plants, especially those you have not tried before, in case of potential allergic reactions. Test them before you collect or eat large quantities.
Also, the hazard many people forget to consider, and it is one of the most important, is the hazard you pose to the plants themselves!
Please practice wise and sustainable harvesting techniques. Consider the needs of the plants and the other animals that might feed on them.
If the plant you are harvesting is rare, is the only one of its kind on the location you are harvesting or especially if it is endangered, leave it alone!
Look for places where the species you are interested in gathering is plentiful. Also look for plants that have abundant fruit, nuts or berries. This will make your job of gathering less work and also, if you are considerate, it will leave less of an impact on the land. A good guidelines is to collect one third of the plant material, leaving two thirds for plant regeneration and wildlife.
Major Groupings of Wild Edible Plants
There are so many different kinds of plants out there in the world. It can really help to initially lump them into more manageable groups. Here are some of the major groups of wild edibles, organized by plant families:
The Lily Family (Liliaceae): This includes species such as:
- Wild onions
- Wild garlic
- Wild leeks
- Camas
- Glacier lilies
The Purslane Family (Portulacaceae): This includes:
- Miner’s Lettuce
- Spring Beauty
The Rose Family (Rosaceae): This includes edible plants such as:
- Blackberry
- Raspberry
- Salmonberry
- Thimbleberry
- Wild roses
- Hawthorn
- Serviceberry
- Choke-cherry
- Wild strawberry
- Silverweed
The Heath Family (Ericaceae): This includes species such as:
- Cranberry
- Blueberry
- Huckleberry
The Mustard Family (Brassicaceae): This includes plants such as:
- Pennycress
- Shepard’s purse
- Watercress
The Mint Family (Lamiaceae): This includes wild edibles such as:
- Wild mint
- Self-heal
The Sunflower Family (Asteraceae): This includes species such as:
- Dandelion
- Wild sunflower
- Salsify
- Chicory
- Pineapple weed
- Oxeye daisy
- Common burdock
- Thistle species
The Nettle Family (Urticaceae): This includes:
- Stinging nettle
The Cattail Family (Typhaceae): This includes:
- Narrow-leaf and broad-leaved cattail
The Beech Family (Fagaceae): This includes:
- Oaks
- Chestnuts
- Beeches
The Pine Family (Pinaceae): This includes trees such as:
- Pine
- Hemlock
- Douglas-fir
- Spruce
With proper identification and careful consideration of safety & potential hazards, edible wild plants can become an exciting and healthful part of your diet. Happy foraging!
NATIVE AMERICAN NAMES:
Female
ABEDABUN: Cheyenne name meaning sight of day."
ABEQUA, ABEQUE: Cheyenne name meaning stays at home."
ABETZI: Omaha name meaning "yellow leaf."
ABEY: Omaha name meaning "leaf."
ABEYTU: Omaha name meaning "green leaf."
ADOETTE: large tree
ADSILA: Cherokee name meaning blossom."
AIYANA: eternal blossom
ALAMEDA: grove of cottonwood
ALAQUA: sweet gum tree
ALAWA: Algonquin name meaning pea."
ALGOMA: valley of flowers
ALSOOMSE: Algonquin name meaning independent."
ALTSOBA: Navajo name meaning all war."
AMADAHY: Cherokee name meaning forest water."
AMAYETA: Miwok name. Meaning is unknown
AMITOLA: rainbow
ANABA: Navajo name meaning returns from war."
ANEVAY: superior
ANGENI: spirit
ANGWUSNASOMTAQA: Hopi name meaning crow mother spirit."
ANKTI: Hopi name meaning repeat dance."
ANNA: Algonquin name meaning mother."
ANPAYTOO: Sioux name meaning "radiant."
APONI: butterfly
AQUENE: peace
ASDZA: Navajo name meaning woman."
AT'EED: Navajo name meaning girl."
ATEPA: Choctaw name meaning wigwam."
AWANATA: Miwok name meaning "turtle."
AWENASA: Cherokee name meaning my home."
AWENDELA: morning
AWENTIA: fawn
AWINITA: Cherokee name meaning fawn."
AYASHE, AYASHA: Cheyenne name meaning little one."
AYITA: Cherokee name meaning first to dance."
BENA: pheasant
BLY: tall
CATORI: Hopi name meaning spirit."
CHA'KWAINA: Hopi name meaning one who cries."
CHA'RISA: Hopi name meaning elk."
CHAPA: Sioux name meaning "beaver."
CHENOA: dove
CHEPI: Algonquin name meaning fairy."
CHILAILI: snowbird
CHIMALIS: bluebird
CHITSA: fair
CHOCHMINGWU: Hopi name meaning corn mother."
CHOLENA: bird
CHOSOVI: Hopi name meaning bluebird."
CHOSPOSI: Hopi name meaning bluebird eye."
CHU'MANA: Hopi name meaning snake maiden."
CHU'SI: Hopi name meaning snake flower."
CHUMANI: Sioux name meaning "dewdrops."
COCHETA: stranger
DENA: valley
DEZBA: Navajo name meaning goes to war."
DIBE: Navajo name meaning "sheep."
DOBA: Navajo name meaning "no war."
DOLI: Navajo name meaning "bluebird."
DONOMA: Omaha name meaning "sight of the sun."
DYANI: deer
EHAWEE: Sioux name meaning "laughing maiden."
ENOLA: solitary
ETENIA: rich
EYOTA: great
FALA: Choctaw name meaning crow."
FLO: arrow
GAHO: mother
GALILAHI: Cherokee name meaning attractive."
HAKIDONMUYA: Hopi name meaning time of waiting moon."
HALOKE: Navajo name meaning "salmon."
HALONA: of happy fortune
HANTAYWEE: Sioux name meaning "faithful."
HAUSIS, HAUSISSE: Algonquin name meaning old woman."
HEHEWUTI: Hopi name meaning warrior mother spirit."
HELKI: Miwok name meaning "touch."
HONOVI: Hopi name meaning strong deer."
HUATA: Miwok name meaning "carrying seeds in a basket."
HUMITA: Hopi name meaning shelled corn."
HURIT: Algonquin name meaning beautiful."
HUYANA: Miwok name meaning "falling rain."
IMALA: disciplines
ISI: Choctaw name meaning deer."
ISTAS: snow
ITUHA: sturdy oak
ITUHA: white stone
KACHINA: Hopi name meaning spirit, sacred dancer."
KAI: Navajo name meaning "willow tree."
KAKAWANGWA: Hopi name meaning bitter."
KALISKA: Miwok name meaning "coyote chasing deer."
KANTI: Algonquin name meaning sings."
KASA: Hopi name meaning dressed in furs."
KAYA: Hopi name meaning elder sister."
KEEGSQUAW: Algonquin name meaning virgin."
KEEZHEEKONI: Cheyenne name meaning burning fire."
KIMAMA: Shoshone name meaning butterfly."
KIMI: Algonquin name meaning secret."
KIMIMELA: Sioux name meaning "butterfly."
KINEKS: rosebud
KIWIDINOK: Cheyenne name meaning of the wind."
KOKO: Blackfoot name meaning night."
KOKYANGWUTI: Hopi name meaning spider woman at middle-age."
KOLENYA: Miwok name meaning "coughing fish."
KUWANLELENTA: Hopi name meaning to make beautiful surroundings."
KUWANYAMTIWA: Hopi name meaning beautiful badger going over the hill."
KUWANYAUMA: Hopi name meaning butterfly showing beautiful wings."
LEOTIE: flower of the prairie
LENMANA: Hopi name meaning flute girl."
LEQUOIA: meaning unknown (probably an alteration of sequoia, name of a giant redwood
tree)
LILUYE: Miwok name meaning "singing chicken hawk that soars."
LISELI: Zuni name. Meaning unknown
LITONYA: Miwok name meaning "darting hummingbird."
LOMAHONGVA: Hopi name meaning beautiful clouds arising."
LOMASI: pretty flower
LULU: rabbit
LUYU: wild dove
MACAWI: Sioux name meaning "generous."
MAGASKAWEE: Sioux name meaning "graceful."
MAGENA: moon
MAHAL: woman
MAHU: Hopi myth name.
MAI: coyote
MAKA: Sioux name meaning "earth."
MAKAWEE: Sioux name meaning "mothering."
MAKKITOTOSIMEW: Algonquin name meaning she has large breasts."
MALIA: Zuni name meaning "bitter."
MALILA: Miwok name meaning "fast salmon swimming up a rippling stream."
MANABA: Navajo name meaning "return to war."
MANKALITA: Zuni name. Meaning unknown
MANSI: Hopi name meaning plucked flower."
MAPIYA: Sioux name meaning "sky."
MARALAH: born during an earthquake
MAUSI: plucks flowers
MEDA: prophetess
MELI: Zuni name meaning "bitter."
MEMDI: henna
MEOQUANEE: Cheyenne name meaning wears red."
MIGISI: Cheyenne name meaning eagle."
MIAKODA: power of the moon
MIGINA: Omaha name meaning "returning moon."
MIKA: intelligent raccoon
MIMITEH: Omaha name meaning "new moon."
MINAL: fruit
MISAE: Osage name meaning white sun."
MITUNA: Miwok name meaning "wraps salmon in willow leaves."
MONA: gathered of the seed of a jimson weed
MOSI: Navajo name meaning "cat."
MUNA: Hopi name meaning overflowing spring."
NADIE: Algonquin name meaning wise."
NAHIMANA: Sioux name meaning "mystic."
NAMID: Cheyenne name meaning star dancer."
NARA: from Nara
NASCHA: Navajo name meaning "owl."
NASHOTA: twin
NATA: speaker
NIABI: Osage name meaning fawn."
NIDAWI: Omaha name meaning "fairy."
NIJLON: Algonquin name meaning mistress."
NINA: strong
NITA: Choctaw name meaning bear."
NITTAWOSEW: Algonquin name meaning she is not sterile."
NITUNA: daughter
NOKOMIS: Cheyenne name meaning grandmother."
NOVA: Hopi name meaning chases butterfly."
NUKPANA: Hopi name meaning "evil."
NUMEES: Algonquin name meaning sister."
NUNA: land
NUTTAH: Algonquin name meaning my heart."
ODAHINGUM: Cheyenne name meaning rippling water."
OGIN: wild rose
OLATHE: beautiful
OMINOTAGO: Cheyenne name meaning beautiful voice."
OMUSA: Miwok name meaning "misses with arrows."
ONATAH: Iroquois name meaning of the earth."
ONAWA: wide awake
ONIDA: the one searched for
OOLJEE: Navajo name meaning "moon."
OOTA DABUN: Algonquin name meaning day star."
ORENDA: Iroquois name meaning magic power."
PAKWA: Hopi name meaning "frog."
PAKUNA: Miwok name meaning "deer jumping downhill."
PAMUYA: Hopi name meaning "water moon."
PAPINA: Miwok name meaning "vine growing around an oak tree."
PATI: Miwok name meaning "break by twisting."
PAUWAU: Algonquin name meaning "witch."
PAVATI: Hopi name meaning "clear water."
PETA: Blackfoot name meaning "golden eagle."
PETUNIA: flower name
POLIKWAPTIWA: Hopi name meaning "butterfly sitting on a flower."
POLOMA: Choctaw name meaning "bow."
POSALA: Miwok name meaning "farewell to spring flowers."
POWAQA: Hopi name meaning "witch."
PTAYSANWEE: Sioux name meaning "white buffalo."
PULES: Algonquin name meaning pigeon."
ROZENE: rose
SAHKYO: Navajo name meaning "mink."
SALALI: Cherokee name meaning squirrel."
SANUYE: Miwok name meaning "red cloud at sundown."
SATINKA: magical dancer
SHADA: pelican
SHADI: Navajo name meaning "older sister."
SHESHEBENS: Cheyenne name meaning small duck."
SHIDEEZHI: Navajo name meaning "younger sister."
SHIMA: Navajo name meaning "mother."
SHIMASANI: Navajo name meaning "grandmother."
SHUMAN: Hopi name meaning "rattlesnake handler."
SIHU: Hopi name meaning "flower."
SINOPA: Blackfoot name meaning fox."
SISIKA: bird
SITALA: Miwok name meaning "of good memory."
SITSI: Navajo name meaning "daughter."
SOKANON: Algonquin name meaning rain."
SOKW: Algonquin name meaning sour."
SOOLEAWA: Algonquin name meaning silver."
SOYALA: Hopi name meaning "time of the winter solstice."
SULETU: Miwok name meaning "flies."
SUNKI: Hopi name meaning "to catch up with."
TABLITA: Hopi name meaning "tiara."
TADEWI: Omaha name meaning "wind."
TADITA: Omaha name meaning "one who runs."
TAIGI, TAINI: Omaha name meaning "returning moon."
TAIMA: thunder
TAIPA: Miwok name meaning "spread wings."
TAKALA: Hopi name meaning "corn tassel."
TAKCHAWEE: Sioux name meaning "doe."
TAKHI: Algonquin name meaning cold."
TALA: wolf
TALULAH: Choctaw name meaning leaping water."
TALUTAH: Sioux name meaning "blood-red."
TAMA: thunder
TANSY: Hopi name meaning "name of a flower."
TAYANITA: Cherokee name meaning young beaver."
TEHYA: precious
TIPONI: Hopi name meaning "child of importance."
TIS-SEE-WOO-NA-TIS: Cheyenne name meaning she who bathes with her knees."
TIVA: Hopi name meaning "dance."
TOLINKA: Miwok name meaning "flapping ear of a coyote."
TOTSI: Hopi name meaning "moccasins."
TUWA: Hopi name meaning "earth."
UNA: Hopi name meaning "remember."
URIKA: Omaha name meaning "useful to all."
UTINA: meaning unknown
WACHIWI: Sioux name meaning "dancer."
WAKANDA: Sioux name meaning "possesses magical power."
WAKI: Hopi name meaning "shelter."
WANETA: charger
WAUNA: Miwok name meaning "singing snow goose."
WEEKO: Sioux name meaning "pretty."
WENONA: firstborn daughter
WICAPI WAKAN: Dakota name meaning holy star."
WIHAKAYDA: Sioux name meaning "little one."
WIKIMAK: Algonquin name meaning wife."
WINEMA: chief
WINONA, WENONA, WENONAH: Sioux name meaning giving."
WITASHNAH: Sioux name meaning "virginal."
WUTI: Hopi name meaning "woman."
WYANET: beautiful
YAMKA: Hopi name meaning "blossom."
YAZHI: Navajo name meaning "little one."
YEPA: snow woman
YOKI: Hopi name meaning "rain."
ZALTANA: high mountain
ZIHNA: Hopi name meaning "spins."
ZITKALA: Dakota name meaning bird."
Male
ABUKCHEECH: Algonquin name meaning "mouse."
ACHAK: Algonquin name meaning "spirit."
ADAHY: Cherokee name meaning "lives in the woods."
AHANU: Algonquin name meaning "he laughs."
AHIGA: Navajo name meaning "he fights."
AHILIYA: Hopi name. Meaning unknown
AHMIK: beaver
AHOTE: Hopi name meaning "restless one."
AHTUNOWHIHO: Cheyenne name meaning "one who lives below."
AKANDO: ambush
AKECHETA: Sioux name meaning "fighter."
AKULE: looks up
ALO: Hopi name meaning "spiritual guide."
ALOSAKA: Hopi myth name
ANAKAUSUEN: Algonquin name meaning "worker."
ANOKI: actor
APENIMON: worthy of trust
APONIVI: Hopi name meaning "where the wind blows down
the gap."
ARANCK: Algonquin name meaning "stars."
ASHKII: Navajo name meaning "boy."
ASKOOK: Algonquin name meaning "snake."
ASKUWHETEAU: Algonquin name meaning "he keeps watch."
ATA'HALNE': Navajo name meaning "he interrupts."
AVONACO: Cheyenne name meaning "lean bear."
AWAN: somebody
AYAWAMAT: Hopi name meaning "one who follows orders."
BEMOSSED: walker
BIDZIIL: Navajo name meaning "he is strong."
BILAGAANA: Navajo name meaning "white person."
BIMISI: slippery
BODAWAY: fire-maker
CHA'AKMONGWI: Hopi name meaning "crier chief."
CHA'TIMA: Hopi name meaning "the caller."
CHANKOOWASHTAY: Sioux name meaning "good road."
CHANSOMPS: Algonquin name meaning "locust."
CHAS-CHUNK-A: Winnebago name meaning "wave."
CHAVATANGAKWUNUA: Hopi name meaning "short rainbow."
CHAYTON: Sioux name meaning "falcon."
CHESMU: gritty
CHEVEYO: Hopi name meaning "spirit warrior."
CHOCHMO: Hopi name meaning "mud mound."
CHOCHOKPI: Hopi name meaning "throne for the clouds."
CHOCHUSCHUVIO: Hopi name meaning "white-tailed deer."
CHOGAN: Algonquin name meaning "blackbird."
CHOOVIO: Hopi name meaning "antelope."
CHOVIOHOYA: Hopi name meaning "young deer."
CHOWILAWU: Hopi name meaning "joined together by water."
CHU'A: Hopi name meaning "snake."
CHUCHIP: Hopi name meaning "deer spirit."
CHUNTA: Hopi name meaning "cheating."
CIQALA: Dakota name meaning "little one."
DELSIN: he is so
DEMOTHI: talks while walking
DICHALI: speaks a lot
DOHOSAN: bluff
DUSTU: Cherokee name. Meaning unknown
DYAMI: eagle
ELAN: friendly
ELKI: Miwok name. Meaning unknown
ELSU: flying falcon
ELUWILUSSIT: Algonquin name meaning "holy one."
ENAPAY: Sioux name meaning "brave."
ENKOODABOOAOO, ENKOODABAOO: Algonquin name meaning "one who lives alone."
ENYETO: walks as a boar
ETCHEMIN: Algonquin name meaning "canoe man."
ETLELOOAAT: Algonquin name meaning "shouts."
ETU: sun
EZHNO: solitary
GAAGII: Navajo name meaning "raven."
GAD: Navajo name meaning "juniper tree."
GOSHEVEN: leaper
GUYAPI: frank
HAHKETHOMEMAH, HARKAHOME: Cheyenne name meaning "little
robe."
HAHNEE: beggar
HAKAN: fire
HANIA: Hopi name meaning "spirit warrior."
HASSUN: Algonquin name meaning "stone."
HASTIIN: Navajo name meaning "man."
HAWIOVI: Hopi name meaning "going down the ladder."
HE-LUSH-KA: Winnebago name meaning "fighter."
HEAMMAWIHIO: Cheyenne name meaning "wise one above."
HELAKU: full of sun
HELKI: Miwok name meaning "touch."
HESKOVIZENAKO: Cheyenne name meaning "porcupine bear."
HESUTU: Miwok name meaning "yellow jacket nest rising
out of the ground."
HEVATANEO: Cheyenne name meaning "hairy rope."
HEVOVITASTAMIUTSTO: Cheyenne name meaning "whirlwind."
HIAMOVI: Cheyenne name meaning "high chief."
HINUN: myth name
HINTO: Dakota name meaning "blue."
KOHKAHYCUMEST: Cheyenne name meaning "white crow or
white antelope."
HOHNIHOHKAIYOHOS, NEEHEEOEEWOOTIS: Cheyenne name meaning "high-backed wolf."
HOK'EE: Navajo name meaning "abandoned."
HONANI: Hopi name meaning "badger."
HONAW: Hopi name meaning "bear."
HONIAHAKA: Cheyenne name meaning little wolf."
HONON: Miwok name meaning "bear."
HONOVI: strong
HOTAH: Sioux name meaning "white."
HOTOTO: Hopi name meaning "warrior spirit who sings;
he who whistles"
HOTUAEKHAASHTAIT: Cheyenne name meaning "tall bull."
HOWAHKAN: Sioux name meaning "of the mysterious voice."
HOWI: Miwok name meaning "turtle-dove."
HURITT: Algonquin name meaning "handsome."
IGASHO: wanders
ISTAQA: Hopi name meaning "coyote man."
INTEUS: has no shame
ISTU: sugar
IYE: smoke
JACY: moon
JOLON: valley of the dead oaks
KACHADA: Hopi name meaning "white man."
KAGA: chronicler
KAJIKA: walks without sound
KANGEE: Sioux name meaning "raven."
KELE: Hopi name meaning "sparrow."
KEME: Algonquin name meaning "secret."
KESEGOWAASE: Algonquin name meaning "swift."
KESTEJOO: Algonquin name meaning "slave."
KITCHI: Algonquin name meaning "brave."
KNOTON: wind
KOHANA: Sioux name meaning "swift."
KOLICHIYAW: Hopi name meaning "skunk."
KONO: Miwok name. meaning unknown
KOSUMI: Miwok name meaning "fishes for salmon with spear."
KOTORI: Hopi name meaning "screech owl spirit."
KUCKUNNIWI: Cheyenne name meaning "little wolf."
KURUK: Pawnee name meaning "bear."
KWAHU: Hopi name meaning "eagle."
KWATOKO: Hopi name meaning "bird with big beak."
LANGUNDO: peaceful
LANSA: Hopi name meaning "lance."
LANU: Miwok name. Meaning unknown
LAPU: Hopi name meaning "cedar bark."
LEN: Hopi name meaning "flute."
LENNO: man
LEYATI: Miwok name meaning "shaped like an abalone shell."
LISE: Miwok name meaning "salmon head rising above water."
LIWANU: Miwok name meaning "growl of a bear."
LOKNI: Miwok name meaning "rain falls through the roof."
LONATO: flint
LOOTAH: Sioux name meaning "red."
MACHAKW: Hopi name meaning "horny toad."
MACHK: Algonquin name meaning "bear."
MAHKAH: Sioux name meaning "earth."
MAHPEE: Sioux name meaning "sky."
MAKKAPITEW: Algonquin name meaning "he has large teeth."
MAKYA: Hopi name meaning "eagle hunter."
MANIPI: amazing
MANTOTOHPA: Cheyenne name meaning "four bears."
MASICHUVIO: Hopi name meaning "gray deer."
MASKA: strong
MASOU: myth name
MATCHITEHEW: Algonquin name meaning "he has an evil
heart."
MATCHITISIW: Algonquin name meaning "he has bad character."
MATOSKAH: Sioux name meaning "white bear."
MATUNAAGA: Algonquin name meaning "fights."
MATWAU: Algonquin name meaning "enemy."
MAZA BLASKA: Dakota name meaning "flat iron."
MEGEDAGIK: Algonquin name meaning "kills many."
MELKEDOODUM: Algonquin name meaning "conceited."
MELVERN: meaning unknown
METURATO, MOKATAVATAH, MOKETAVATO, MOKETAVETO, MOKETOVETO,
MOKOVAOTO, MOTAVATO: Cheyenne name meaning "black kettle."
MILAP: charitable
MINGAN: gray wolf
MINNINNEWAH: Cheyenne name meaning "whirlwind."
MISU: Miwok name meaning "rippling brook."
MOCHNI: Hopi name meaning "talking bird."
MOJAG: never silent
MOKI: Hopi name meaning "deer."
MOLIMO: Miwok name meaning "bear walking into shade."
MOMUSO: Miwok name. Meaning unknown
MONA: Miwok name meaning "gathers jimson weed seed."
MONGWAU: Hopi name meaning "owl."
MOTEGA: new arrow
MUATA: Miwok name meaning "yellow jackets inside a nest."
MUKKI: Algonquin name meaning "child."
MURACO: white moon
NAALNISH: Navajo name meaning "he works."
NAALYEHE YA SIDAHI: Navajo name meaning "trader."
NAHCOMENCE: Cheyenne name meaning "old bark."
NAHELE: forest
NAHIOSSI: Cheyenne name meaning "has three fingers."
NAPAYSHNI: Sioux name meaning "strong, courageous."
NASTAS: Navajo name meaning "curve like foxtail grass."
NAWAT: left-handed
NAWKAW: Winnebago name meaning "wood."
NAYATI: he who wrestles
NEKA: wild goose
NIGAN: ahead
NIICHAAD: Navajo name meaning "swollen."
NIKITI: round, smooth
NITIS: friend
NIXKAMICH: Algonquin name meaning "grandfather."
NIYOL: Navajo name meaning "wind."
NODIN: wind
NOOTAU: Algonquin name meaning "fire."
NOSH, NOSHI: Algonquin name meaning "father."
NUKPANA: Hopi name meaning "evil."
OCUMWHOWURST, OCUNNOWHURST: Cheyenne name meaning "yellow
wolf."
ODAKOTA: Sioux name meaning "friend."
OGALEESHA: Sioux name meaning "wears a red shirt."
OHANKO: reckless
OHANZEE: Sioux name meaning "shadow."
OHCUMGACHE, OKHMHAKA: Cheyenne name meaning "little
wolf."
OHITEKAH: Sioux name meaning "brave."
OMAWNAKW: Hopi name meaning "cloud feather."
OTAKTAY: Sioux name meaning "kills many."
OTOAHHASTIS: Cheyenne name meaning "tall bull."
OTOAHNACTO: Cheyenne name meaning "bull bear."
OURAY: arrow
OYA: Miwok name. Meaning unknown
PACHU'A: Hopi name meaning "feathered water snake."
PACO: eagle
PAHANA: Hopi name meaning "lost white brother."
PAJACKOK: Algonquin name meaning "thunder."
PALLATON: warrior
PANNOOWAU: Algonquin name meaning "he lies."
PAT: fish
PATAMON: tempest
PATWIN: man
PAYAT, PAY, PAYATT: he is coming
PAYTAH: Sioux name meaning "fire."
PINON: myth name
PIVANE: Hopi name meaning "weasel."
POWWAW: Algonquin name meaning "priest."
QALETAQA: Hopi name meaning "guardian of the people."
QOCHATA: Hopi name meaning "white man."
ROWTAG: Algonquin name meaning "fire."
SAHALE: falcon
SAKIMA: king
SANI: Navajo name meaning "the old one."
SEGENAM: Algonquin name meaning "lazy."
SEWATI: Miwok name meaning "curved bear claw."
SHILAH: Navajo name meaning "brother."
SHIRIKI: Pawnee name meaning "coyote."
SHIYE: Navajo name meaning "son."
SHIZHE'E: Navajo name meaning "father."
SHOEMOWETOCHAWCAWEWAHCATOWE: Cheyenne name meaning "high-backed wolf."
SICHEII: Navajo name meaning "grandfather."
SIK'IS: Navajo name meaning "friend."
SIKE: Navajo name meaning "he sits at home."
SIKYAHONAW: Hopi name meaning "yellow bear."
SIKYATAVO: Hopi name meaning "yellow rabbit."
SIWILI: tail of the fox
SKAH: Sioux name meaning "white."
SONGAN: strong
SOWI'NGWA: Hopi name meaning "black-tailed deer."
SUCKI: Algonquin name meaning "black."
SUNUKKUHKAU: Algonquin name meaning "he crushes."
T'IIS: Navajo name meaning "cottonwood."
TAHKEOME: Cheyenne name meaning "little robe."
TAHMELAPACHME: Cheyenne name meaning "dull knife."
TAIMA: thunder
TAKODA: Sioux name meaning "friend to everyone."
TANGAKWUNU: Hopi name meaning "rainbow."
TAREGAN: Algonquin name meaning "crane."
TASUNKE: Dakota name meaning "horse."
TATANKA-PTECILA: Dakota name meaning "short bull."
TATE: he who talks too much
TEETONKA: Sioux name meaning "talks too much."
TELUTCI, TUKETU: Miwok name meaning "bear making dust."
TIHKOOSUE: Algonquin name meaning "short."
TOCHO: Hopi name meaning "mountain lion."
TOGQUOS: Algonquin name meaning "twin."
TOHOPKA: Hopi name meaning "wild beast."
TOKALA: Dakota name meaning "fox."
TOOANTUH: Cherokee name meaning "spring frog."
TSE: Navajo name meaning "rock."
TSIISHCH'ILI: Navajo name meaning "curly-haired."
TUPI: Miwok name meaning "to pull up."
UZUMATI: Miwok name meaning "bear."
VAIVEAHTOISH, VAIVE ATOISH: Cheyenne name meaning "alights
on the cloud."
VIHO: Cheyenne name meaning "chief."
VIPPONAH: Cheyenne name meaning "slim face."
VOHKINNE: Cheyenne name meaning "Roman nose."
VOISTITOEVITZ, VOISTTITOEVETZ: Cheyenne name meaning "white cow."
VOKIVOCUMMAST: Cheyenne name meaning "white antelope."
WAHANASSATTA: Cheyenne name meaning "he who walks with
his toes turned outward."
WAHCHINKSAPA: Sioux name meaning "wise."
WAHCHINTONKA: Sioux name meaning "has much practice."
WAHKAN: Sioux name meaning "sacred."
WAKIZA: desperate warrior
WAMBLEE: Sioux name meaning "eagle."
WAMBLEESKA: Sioux name meaning "white eagle."
WAMBLI-WASTE: Dakota name meaning "good eagle."
WANAGEESKA: Sioux name meaning "white spirit."
WANAHTON: Sioux name meaning "charger."
WANIKIYA: Sioux name meaning "savior."
WAPI: lucky
WAQUINI: Cheyenne name meaning "hook nose."
WEAYAYA: Sioux name meaning "setting sun."
WEMATIN: Algonquin name meaning "brother."
WEMILAT: of wealthy parents
WICASA: Dakota name meaning "sage."
WIKVAYA: Hopi name meaning "one who brings."
WILNY: meaning unknown
WOHEHIV: Cheyenne name meaning "dull knife."
WOKAIHWOKOMAS: Cheyenne name meaning "white antelope."
WUYI: Miwok name meaning "soaring turkey vulture."
WYNONO: firstborn
YAHTO: Sioux name meaning "blue."
YANCY: Englishman
YANISIN: Navajo name meaning "ashamed."
YAS: Navajo name meaning snow."
YISKA: Navajo name meaning the night has passed."
YOSKOLO: meaning unknown
YUMA: son of a chief
