Evolutionary processes are described for Native (American Indian) voluntary associations in the U.S. and Canada in aboriginal times, in the twentieth century generally, and in cities specifically. These processes at different times and in different social settings are shown to be related to each other through specific historic continuities and through the common neurological nature of mankind. Humans seem to be innately programmed to spontaneously generate symbols and mental structures through emotion-bearing communications within small social groups. Understanding these universal and innate human propensities helps us to understand why there are strong continuities in some dimensions of culture and massive changes in other dimensions while the cultural system as a whole undergoes cultural evolution. Humans, viewed from the point of view of the ethology of human individuals, have kept reproducing very similar social-ideological structures while the broader cultural system has evolved to increasingly integrate a global society. (Author)