A Sample of Native American Animal Words Quiz

Answer: Horse

The horse was essential in Comanche culture, who are considered to have been the first of the Plains Indians to have horses. They were primarily hunter-gatherers, but with horses they became bolder and were soon considered as the best buffalo hunters on the plains.

The horse trade became a large part of their culture, and breeding, stealing and trading horses with other Indians gave them the chance to become better buffalo hunters.

Answer: Wolf

The Cherokee tribe, whose Wolf Clan name is Aniwahya, admired the wolf for its strength and power. It taught the tribe many skills, including sharing, looking after the young, and having pride. The wolf also showed the tribe how to move stealthily in the forests and inspired the people to protect their clan from outsiders.

Answer: Owl

Holy men in the tribe sought spiritual help from the méstahke. The holy people believed that the owl had humble ways, like the the softness of an owl's feather. Cheyenne warriors attached owl feathers to their shields, or wore them on their arms, to convey the owl's power, such as the ability to see in the dark and move unnoticed. During a war campaign, one in four scouts whose job it was to find the enemy wore an owl skin and emulated the owl's cry.

Answer: Bear

Adopted as a symbol for the successful hunt, the Cree people prepared for the hunt with a ritual featuring maskwa as the guest of honor. Afterwards the bear skulls would hang in the lodge overnight to incite dreams that would bring good luck to the hunt. The bear represents power and freedom.

Answer: Fish

The Apache tribe did not eat fish (or bugs, animals with scales, and slimy creatures generally) and considered them to be vulgar. The Apache men hunted with a bow and arrow and women gathered berries and nuts.

Answer: Raccoon

The Chickasaw has a specific clan named the Raccoon Clan. In Native American legends a shawi represents cleverness and dexterity. It uses these strengths to escape from danger or get food. The raccoon is considered a trickster spirit in many tribes.

Answer: Buffalo

Shoshone people that lived in the plains hunted bozheena. The buffalo hide was dried in the sun and then used to make a tepee. They also dried the meat of the buffalo to make jerky. The tribe limited their hunts in the east as the European people made their way into their territory.

Answer: Deer

The Cherokee Deer Clan adopted the white-tailed deer as their symbol. People from this clan were the keepers, hunters, and trackers of the deer, as well as keepers of the deer medicine. Deer antlers were also used to make arrowheads, spearheads, knives. They prayed to the Deer Spirit out of respect when deer were killed for food. White-tailed deer are among the smallest members of the deer family in the United States.

Answer: Hawk

In the Cheyenne tribe, hawks are linked to protection from enemies. The Hawk represents a messenger in the Native American culture. Having a dream about a hawk would have been seen as an omen. They were symbols of valor and strength, as well as the power of observation.

Answer: Eagle

The opotenaiok is considered a sacred bird. They believed that because the eagle could fly so high that it had a connection with their creator. Hunting or killing of eagles was not allowed.