<P> There are approximately 296 spoken (or formerly spoken) indigenous languages north of Mexico, 269 of which are grouped into 29 families . </P> <P> The major ethno - linguistic phyla are: </P> <Ul> <Li> Na - Dene languages, </Li> <Li> Iroquoian languages, </Li> <Li> Caddoan languages </Li> <Li> Algonquian languages </Li> <Li> Algic languages, </Li> <Li> Siouan--Catawban languages, </Li> <Li> Uto - Aztecan languages, </Li> <Li> Salishan languages, </Li> <Li> Tanoan languages </Li> <Li> Eskimo--Aleut (Alaska) </Li> </Ul> <Li> Na - Dene languages, </Li>

What similarities and differences existed among native american social structures