Indian Peoples of the Great Plains

Following the Buffalo

Roles of Women and Men

Misconceptions/TruthsNot all speak the same language or have the same traditions

Not all live on reservations

Tribes were not always unified

Most did believe land belonged to no one (communal)

Reservation lands were continually taken away by the government “We did not ask you white men to

come here. The Great Spirit gave us this country as a home. You had yours. We did not interfere with you… But you have come here; you are taking my land from me… You say, why do you not become civilized? We do not want your civilization!” ~ Chief Crazy Horse”

The Plains Indians

Lived for centuries on the Plains and used the buffalo to help their tribes survive

Example tribes: Arikara, Lakota, Apache

Many of the tribes had skilled artists, complex religions, and different languages

Agriculture was their main source of food

Way of life changed in the 1600’s when horses were introduced

Used for hunting, raiding, and moving villages

Following the Buffalo

Once horses were acquired, tribes started living in tepees – tents made by stretching buffalo skins on tall poles

Tepees were carried on travois – sled pulled by a dog or horse

Plains Indians migrated by the movement of the buffalo

Buffalo Hunting Options

Shout and wave robes

Drive buffalo into a corral (enclosure)

Uses of the BuffaloBuffalo was the main protein of their diet

Dried meat on racks called jerky

Clothing

Robes, moccasins

Shelter

Tepee covers

Tradition and Ceremony

Summer gatherings had councils

Sun Dance – hundreds attended the 4 day ceremony to thank the Great Spirit for blessings and hunts and for good fortune next year

The Roles of Women and Men

Women

Life in the Home – gathered food, made meals, made tepees, cared for children, passed along traditions, made crafts like blankets and baskets

Men

Hunted, protected the tribe, supervised spiritual ceremonies, waged war