As Native Americans were the first inhabitants of North America, many people often question the traditions they created on their own, before the ideas of the pale settlers . Examining their interesting beliefs, it is evident to see a complex basis of animals and spirits that guide the way of life of Indians throughout the country. Even their society had a particular way of doing things, including the gender roles of men and women. There are many customs that have seemed strange to the average American over the centuries, but the Indians found them to be a normal way of life. Even the Native American way of life was unique, from hunting animals to tanning buffalo hides. Gender was a major factor in expected tasks. Native American women had some power over men, were limited to maintaining their roles and duties within their tribe, and were expected to continue the spiritual lifestyles of Native American life. Women's greatest source of power was having children, a power centered on the menstrual cycle. A girl's first period marked the occasion of her isolation in a teepee with other menstruating women to separate them from the rest of the tribe. The first period was also marked as very significant, as at this time her dreams had special significance for her future, followed by a ceremony which was either a family or tribal recognition of her new status as a marriageable woman. Men feared the power of menstrual blood, hence the ritual of seclusion. It was believed that women's blood could destroy the power of a man's weapons when hunting. Men even avoided the paths taken by menstruating women (Schulz). The fear came from the fact that men had no way to control or influence menstruation. It was an exclusively female experience, and the power of birth that it represented was greater than the power of the spiritual beings who were the guardians of men. The roles of men and women were very distinct within a tribe. The role of men was to hunt, defend their lands and families, debate in public forums, and direct the religious life of the community. Women's role was to gather and prepare food, provide clothing and shelter, bear and raise children, and maintain the home. Depending on the amount of food women produced, their status in their society was mid-table at some point in their lives. Women were also very important because of their menstrual cycles, which individualized the woman, making her a very powerful member of the community. Even though Native Americans had different and unique ways of thinking, they should be respected as a community. By analyzing the different lifestyles in which men and women lived, it is evident to see significant differences between the roles of men and women. Works Cited Finch, John. “Women work harder than men.” Cultural Survival Quarterly Oct. 31, 1992: 44. Kidwell, Clara S. Reader's Companion to American Women's History - - Native American Cultures. Houghton Mifflin Company 2003: 13 para. Online. Internet. February 17, 2004. Available at http://college.hmco.com/history/readerscomp/women/html/wh_026300_nativeameri2.htmNative American Women - Introduction page. The Denver Public Library 1995: 3 par. Online. Database. February 18, 2004. Available at http://photoswest.org/exhib/gallery4/leadin.htm Schulz, Diane R. “Speaking to Survival.” Awake Woman August 19, 2001: 11 par. In