Native Americans were present on the American continent for a long time before the arrival of Europeans in the 15th century. Their civilizations were complex and developed over the regions, with societies ranging from nomadic hunter-gatherers to sedentary cultures based on agriculture. Contacts with Europeans have led to major upheavals, in particular due to diseases, wars and colonization.

Native Americans were organized into many tribes, each with their own languages, political systems, and cultural practices. For example, the northeastern Iroquois were known for their Confederation, a model of participatory democracy. The Sioux and Cheyenne lived mainly from the vast plains of North America, using bison as their main resource. The Navajos and Hopis in the Southwest were talented farmers, while the Kwakiutls and Haidas in the Northwest existed in highly hierarchical societies with a rich artistic tradition.

Native American culture is diverse and rich in oral traditions, art and spirituality. Myths, stories, songs and dances have been passed down from generation to generation, reflecting values and relationships to the natural world. Totems, pottery, textiles and jewelry are some examples of the craftsmanship that the different tribes possess. Spirituality plays a central role, often centered around nature and living spirits in natural elements.

The 'Trail of Tears' is one of the darkest episode in American history, marking the forced relocation of thousands of Native Americans from different tribes (Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw and Creek) from their ancestral lands in the Southeast to the territories of present-day Oklahoma. This displacement, initiated by President Andrew Jackson in 1830, resulted from the Indian Removal Act. Thousands of Native Americans lost their lives due to hunger, disease and rigorous conditions during the trip. This event has left a lasting impact on indigenous communities and is often cited as an example of injustice and human suffering.