In popular culture I'll hear it referenced that Native American were matrilineal in nature with husbands joining their wives clan. I think in reference toward cultures on the East coast. I'm from Minnesota where most of the Native Americans are Ojibwe and I know their clans are patrilineal. I'm wondering if there is a regional basis for this divide or a historical context/background reason.
No it didn't work that way. People don't join other people's clan in the Ojibwe system. Your clan comes from your mother and you always have it. Your clan never changes. Some people say its patriarchal but it wasn't - that only came about when the Christians came. That part is open to debate because many people follow differently now and there's no real written words from before all this happened, but no one switches clans.