The Aztecs, Mayans, Incas, and earlier agricultural civilizations in Central and South Americas were empires, with that whole hierarchy thing going on. There were Iroquois and Algonquin speakers like the Shawnee and the Mingo living near where I am sitting right now 250 years ago, and they were hunters and fisherman, who grew the Three Sisters; corn, beans, and squash. But primarily the men were warriors. Status was achieved through killing, counting coup, stealing, and taking captives from the traditional enemy tribes. Since men couldn't achieve status or wealth without warfare, it was pretty much continuous, and war chiefs were chosen. The family lineage was traced through the mother because she was a certain parent, but women were essentially chattel. They did most of the work while the men worked on their weapons and canoes, hunted and fished, did religion and politics, and plotted against other tribes. After a battle male captives were tortured to death to test their bravery, and younger women and children were incorporated into the tribe to thin the bloodline, even white or black children and women.

The term brave or warrior was not honorary in Native American culture. They had to live it, which of course they can't do on a modern reservation. Growing the 3 Sisters or any other crop was women's work. When you read Dr. Graebers book, keep in mind that best example of flawless collaboration in our society is the military.