The clash between Indigenous American and European cultures was both physical and philosophical.
For example, individual ownership of the land is a keystone of European culture.
In contrast, a keystone of Indigenous American culture centers around the concept that land is a communal resource.
Indigenous Americans passed along religious and cultural traditions as well as technical skills through oral storytelling, while European cultures depended mostly on the written word.
As Native Americans were moved onto reservations and were not allowed to use their oral tradition to pass on their language and religion, much of the cultural heritage of Indigenous Americans has been lost to time.
The Chippewa and Minnesota River dugout canoes are historically significant, because they are a testament to the intelligence and ingenuity of Indigenous Americans and their rich cultural heritage.