The term 'Early American' can be broken down into two crossword solutions: Colonial (8 letters) and Erie (4 letters). Colonial refers to the period of American history between 1607 and 1776, when the British colonies in North America were established. During this time, the colonies declared their independence from Britain and formed the United States of America. Erie refers to the Native American tribe that lived in the Great Lakes region of North America. The Erie people were known for their fishing and trading skills, and they were one of the first tribes to encounter European settlers.