Discover 30 Indigenous nation and community names with a free printable word search for parents, children, classrooms and lifelong learners.
Get the free worksheet ↗Find all 30 names. Words may run across, down, or diagonally.
Free educational resource from NDE Sovereign Life Collective
Our free word search is an invitation to explore. Use these conversation starters to learn respectfully about the communities behind the names.
Indigenous peoples are not one single culture. Nations and communities have distinct histories, homelands, languages, governments and living traditions. Some names in the puzzle identify specific nations; others refer to broader groups. When you choose a name to explore, start by asking who uses it and how that community identifies itself.
Look for information published by the nation itself, including its official government website, cultural department, tribal museum or language program. A community's own description is a stronger starting point than a general list of facts. Notice which information discusses contemporary people and priorities—not just historical events.
Respectful learning means listening rather than assuming that one tradition represents all Indigenous peoples. You can ask about community names, homelands, languages and present-day leadership without copying sacred practices or claiming to speak for someone else. Understanding living communities is as important as learning history.
Choose one name from the word search and take a few minutes to explore it together. The goal is discovery, not memorizing stereotypes.
Locate the nation or community on a map using a trustworthy source. Remember that homelands, present-day communities and political boundaries are not necessarily the same.
Find an official website or community-created educational resource. Write down one fact about its present-day work or leadership, not only its past.
Pick a language, cultural-education, environmental-stewardship or community-governance topic to research further. Let the community's own resources guide your next question.
Optional research starting points: Smithsonian Native Knowledge 360° ↗ and the Washington Tribal Directory ↗. These resources are independent of NSLC.
NSLC welcomes ideas for respectful, engaging learning materials for all ages.
