Which of the following describes the native American lifestyle prior to their settlements?

The native American lifestyle prior to their settlements is best described by farming and hunting. Many tribes were primarily dependent on agriculture to sustain their communities, cultivating crops such as corn, beans, and squash, often referred to as the "Three Sisters." This agricultural base allowed them to settle in one place for extended periods, as they could rely on the cultivation of these staple crops.

Hunting supplemented their diets, providing protein and other essential nutrients. Many tribes developed sophisticated methods for hunting, utilizing tools and techniques that were honed over generations. This blend of farming and hunting characterized the lifestyle of numerous tribes, particularly those in various regions such as the Southeast, where the climate was conducive to agriculture.

The other options, while representing aspects of various tribes' lifestyles, do not encompass the primary means of subsistence for many Native American groups before their settlements. For example, fishing and gathering played significant roles, particularly in coastal regions, but they were not universal practices for all tribes. Nomadic herding is not a commonly represented practice among Native American tribes prior to European contact. Trading among tribes did occur and was significant for cultural exchange and resource distribution, but it was not the defining characteristic of their lifestyle prior to settlement.