- Fact 2 - The Great Plains area
covers parts of the U.S. states of Colorado, Kansas, Montana,
Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota,
Texas and Wyoming together with the Canadian provinces of
Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
- Fact 3 - The Native Indians of the
Great Plains were divided into 2 groups - the Plains Indians and
the Prairie Indians
- Fact 4 - The Prairie Indians were static
tribes of hunter farmers. The tribes included the Iowa, Kaw,
Omaha,
Pawnee, Ponca, Quapaw, Santee and Wichita. Men were in charge of hunting for food
and protecting the camp and the women were in charge of the home
and land
- Fact 5 - The Plains Indians were
nomadic hunter gatherers. These tribes included the
Blackfoot,
Arapaho,
Cheyenne,
Comanche,
Crow,
Sioux,
Cree and Plains
Chippewa (Ojibwe)
- Fact 6 - Homes and Houses of the
Plains Indians: Tepees (also spelled Teepees or Tipis) are tent-like American Indian houses used by
Plains tribes
- Fact 7 - A tepee is constructed
from wooden poles and animal skins such as buffalo hides and
designed to be quickly set and quickly dismantled - a village
could be ready to move in an hour
- Fact 8 - Clothes and Clothing -
Clothes worn by Plains Indians were generally made from the skins of animals which were
sewn together from the thread made from the sinews of deer.
- Fact 9 - Clothing for Plains Indian men: Men wore
breechcloths which were made from a long rectangular piece of
animal skin or cloth which was worn between the legs and tucked
over a belt, so that the flaps of the breechcloth covered the
front and behind. The legs were bare.
- Fact 10 - Clothing: Men also wore fringed
buckskin tunics which were often decorated with beads and
buffalo hide cloaks during harsh weather
- Fact 11 -
Clothing: Leggings were worn by both men and women to cover the
bare legs and were sometimes decorated with a fringe
- Fact 12 -
Clothing for Plains Indian women: Women wore long buckskin dresses (the skin
of a male deer) which were decorated with beads
- Fact 13 - Shoes and footwear:
Moccasins were made of soft leather or deerskin and sewn
together with deer sinew. Moccasins were a soft slip on shoe, or
slipper, consist of a sole and sides made of one piece of
leather, stitched together at the top and were a light beige
color.
- Fact 14 - Plains Indians cut their hair when
they were in mourning
- Fact 15 - Feather War Bonnets: Plains Indians wore
beaded, feathered war bonnets. The war bonnet, with its long
trailer of feathers was a symbol of honor and accomplishment
among Plains tribes such as the
Araphaho,
Sioux,
Crow,
Blackfoot,
Cheyenne, and
Plains Cree. War bonnets consisted of a cap or
band decorated with eagle feathers, ermine fur and beadwork.
There were 3 types of feathered war bonnets
- a trailing bonnet with feathers
trailing to the floor (worn by the Sioux)
- a straight-up feather headdress
- a halo war bonnet in which the
feathers fanned out around the face and shoulders
- Fact 16 - Men wore their hair in
three braids with a topknot
- Fact 17 - Hair: Women
wore their hair in two, thick braids
- Fact 18 - Jewelry: Women wore
beaded necklaces
- Fact 19 - Face paint / War Paint: Men wore
bright face paint in times of war and also for religious
ceremonies.
- Fact 20 - Plains Indians weapons: Weapons
included bows and arrows, war clubs, spears and knives. They also used
shields made of buffalo hides
- Fact 21 - Enemies of the Plains Indian
tribes included the Assiniboine, Ojibwe (Chippewa) and Kiowa Indians
- Fact 22 - Before horses were
introduced by the Europeans the Plains Indians used dogs to pull sleds
called travois
- Fact 23 - Food: Men hunted buffalo
and deer. Meat was supplemented by roots, berries and fruits
- Fact 24 - Ceremonies: Plains
Indians performed the Sun Dance and the Ghost Dance
- Fact 25 - Scalps: The scalps of
enemies were taken to prove their success in battle and earn
respect
- Fact 26 - The cholera epidemic
reached the Plains Indians in 1849 resulting in huge loss of
life
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