Indigenous peoples of the Southeastern Woodlands

Indigenous peoples of the Southeastern Woodlands, Southeastern cultures, or Southeast Indians are an ethnographic classification for Native Americans who have traditionally inhabited the area now part of the Southeastern United States and the northeastern border of Mexico, that share common cultural traits. This classification is a part of the Eastern Woodlands. The concept of a southeastern cultural region was developed by anthropologists, beginning with Otis Mason and Franz Boas in 1887. The boundaries of the region are defined more by shared cultural traits than by geographic distinctions. Because the cultures gradually instead of abruptly shift into Plains, Prairie, or Northeastern Woodlands cultures, scholars do not always agree on the exact limits of the Southeastern Woodland culture region. Shawnee, Powhatan, Waco, Tawakoni, Tonkawa, Karankawa, Quapaw, and Mosopelea are usually seen as marginally southeastern and their traditional lands represent the borders of the cultural region.

The area was linguistically diverse, major language groups were Caddoan and Muskogean, besides a number of language isolates.

List of peoples

Acolapissa (Colapissa), Louisiana and Mississippi

Ais, eastern coastal Florida

Alafay (Alafia, Pojoy, Pohoy, Costas Alafeyes, Alafaya Costas), Florida

Amacano, Florida west coast

Apalachee, northwestern Florida

Atakapa (Attacapa), Louisiana west coast and Texas southeastern coast

Akokisa, Texas southeast coast

Bidai, Texas southeast coast

Deadose, eastern Texas

Eastern Atakapa, western coastal Louisiana

Orcoquiza, southeast Texas

Patiri, eastern Texas

Tlacopsel, southeast Texas

Avoyel ("little Natchez"), Louisiana

Bayogoula, southeastern Louisiana

Biloxi, Mississippi

Caddo Confederacy, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas

Adai (Adaizan, Adaizi, Adaise, Adahi, Adaes, Adees, Atayos), Louisiana and Texas

Cahinnio, southern Arkansas

Doustioni, north central Louisiana

Eyeish (Hais), eastern Texas

Hainai, eastern Texas

Hasinai, eastern Texas

Kadohadacho, northeastern Texas, southwestern Arkansas, northwestern Louisiana

Nabedache, eastern Texas

Nabiti, eastern Texas

Nacogdoche, eastern Texas

Nacono, eastern Texas

Nadaco, eastern Texas

Nanatsoho, northeastern Texas

Nasoni, eastern Texas

Natchitoches, Lower: central Louisiana, Upper: northeastern Texas

Neche, eastern Texas

Nechaui, eastern Texas

Ouachita, northern Louisiana

Tula, western Arkansas

Yatasi, northwestern Louisiana

Calusa, southwestern Florida

Cape Fear Indians, North Carolina southern coast

Catawba (Esaw, Usheree, Ushery, Yssa), North Carolina, South Carolina

Chakchiuma, Alabama and Mississippi

Chatot people (Chacato, Chactoo), west Florida

Chawasha (Washa), Louisiana

Cheraw (Chara, Charàh), North Carolina