This chapter examines the abilities of a diverse group of peoples who are distributed from the Arctic to the northern border of Mexico, and who constitute the Native sector of the contemporary populations. This population includes all Indian and Inuit (Eskimo) peoples and the Metis (those of mixed Native and other ancestry, who identify with and live as Native peoples). The geographical range includes Greenland but excludes Mexico (see McShane & Cook, 1985, for reviews of Hispanic literature).

The people of this region are far from homogeneous either culturally or genetically; moreover, acculturative influences from various sources (British, French, Spanish, Russian, African) have led to even greater diversity during the post-Columbian period. The justification for including such a range of peoples in a single chapter is thus a matter not so much of science as of convenience. Nevertheless, historically they have been categorised or even lumped together by non-Native writers (and hence much of the literature is organised in these terms). Furthermore, at the present time there are significant social, cultural, and political movements among the various Native groups toward Native collective identity and action.

Ecological and cultural perspective

We need some valid framework for arranging the available information on Native abilities which will allow internal cultural diversity to be represented while avoiding a situation where every distinct cultural group is considered as a separate entity. As Figure 15.1 shows, there are far too many cultural groups for all to be considered in a single chapter.