Plains Indians Flashcards
How did Plains Indian society make decisions?
Everyone on the council had to agree to it
Did everyone in the society have to obey decisions?
No, the rest of the tribe or band didn’t have to obey.
What was a man’s role in the band?
Hunted and fought enemies
What was a woman’s role in the band?
Make clothing
Look after tipi
Feed family
Who looked after the children?
Everyone
How were elders treated in the band?
They were respected for their wisdom but they were left behind to die if their weakness threatened the survival of the band
What was the environment like on the Great Plains?
Very dry, very hot summers, very cold winters
Why did the plains Indians need horses?
They were essential in their nomadic lifestyle and they made it possible to follow and hunt buffalo
What did horses show?
Wealth and status
What were buffalo used for?
Food, clothing and equipment
How were tipis adapted to the plains Indian lifestyle?
They could be put up and taken down very quickly to help them when following the buffalo
Why did nomadic tribes find it difficult to live on reservations?
Because reservations made it so they couldn’t travel and hunt freely
What did Plains Indians believe about nature?
Everything in nature had a spirit
How did the Plains Indians try to contact the spirit world?
Through visions and ritual dances
What did Plains Indians believe about land?
That it could not be bought or owned
