Great Plains Peoples and Culture

Introduction to the Great Plains Region

• The Great Plains is characterized by its unique geography and diverse indigenous tribes.

Tribes of the Great Plains

• Various tribes inhabit the Great Plains region, including:

  • Blackfoot

  • Cheyenne

  • Sioux

  • Mandan

  • Kiowa

  • Crow

  • Pawnee

• Historically, these tribes often engaged in conflicts with one another.

Early Survival and Resources

• The early peoples of the Great Plains relied on several resources:

  • Rivers and streams provided water and opportunities for fishing.

  • Wild fruits were gathered, including berries and cherries.

  • Hunting was a crucial survival method, particularly for small game and bison (buffalo).

  • Agriculture included planting and harvesting:

  • Corn

  • Beans

  • Squash

  • Pumpkins

• Challenges faced by these communities included:

  • Lack of rainfall, resulting in drought conditions.

  • Hot summers and cold, snowy winters made life difficult.

  • Flash floods during rain were also common, complicating survival efforts.

• Many people ultimately left the region in search of easier living conditions.

Bison Hunting: The Central Role in Survival

• Bison hunting was the most significant achievement for the Great Plains tribes:

  • Bison served as the primary food source; the meat could be stored long-term after being dried.

  • Every part of the bison was utilized, with creative usages for various materials:

  • Hide: Made into blankets, winter coats, and tipis.

  • Skin: Formed into water bags.

  • Stomach: Used as a soup kettle.

  • Horns: Crafted into spoons.

  • Bones: Transformed into knives, awls, and needles.

  • Sinews: Turned into bowstrings.

  • Ribs: Converted into sleds.

  • Hooves: Made rattles.

  • Skull: Held sacred significance, often featured in altars.

• After a successful hunt, bison were transported on a travois, a frame made from poles and skins:

  • Hunters would pull the travois back to camp or attach it to dogs for transport.

European Influence

• The introduction of horses by Europeans changed dynamics in the Great Plains:

  • Enhanced transportation for hunting and covering greater distances.

  • Traditional hunting methods persisted, with bows and arrows remaining in use alongside European firearms.

Types of Shelter and Living

• Early peoples in the Great Plains adapted different housing styles:

  • Nomadic Societies: Moved frequently in search of buffalo herds:

  • Lived in tipis made from buffalo hides stretched over poles, which were easily transportable.

  • Tipis typically had openings facing east and were sometimes decorated with symbolic artwork.

  • Sedentary Societies: Established permanent settlements near favorable agricultural locations:

  • Resided in lodges, which were large round huts built over deep pits.

Cultural Practices and Beliefs

• The Great Plains tribes had rich traditions and spiritual practices:

  • Powwows: Celebrations honoring the Great Spirit involving dance and religious ceremonies:

  • Today, powwows remain significant cultural events featuring traditional wear such as feather and beaded attire.

  • Sun Dance: A critical ceremony signifying renewal, typically occurring in summer:

  • This ceremony lasted four days, involving repetitive dance without food or water.

  • Participants would perform acts of endurance, such as staring at the sun, and some men engaged in self-sacrificial acts to seek personal improvement in skills.

  • Involved painful rituals where holy men would pierce the participants’ chests.

Warrior Culture

• The early Great Plains peoples were noted for their valor and competition:

  • Counting Coup: A demonstration of bravery where warriors would touch or scare an enemy with a coup stick before escaping unharmed:

  • This act was deemed more honorable than killing an enemy, emphasizing skill and daring over lethality.

  • Success in counting coup conferred higher status and respect within the tribe, fueling competition among warriors.