Session 3

• Plains Indians


  • Originally tribes from Asia
  • Crossed into the American continent during the Ice Age
  • Followed the herds of grazing animals in search of grass
• Plains Indians settling on the Plains

  1. Adapted their lifestyles to the different environments

  2. Hunting was difficult

  3. Most lived in the river valleys where they could farm or live as hunter gatherers
• Plains Indians moving onto the Plains by the 18th century


  • Due to the coming of the horse
  • Spread of disease
  • Guns brought to America by the Europeans
• Horse


  • Transformed their lives, enabling them to hunt and live a Nomadic lifestyle
  • Used to measure their wealth
• Plains Indians


  • Nomadic due to the need to follow the buffalo herd and the extreme environment of the Plains
• Buffalo


  • Provided the Indians with everything they needed
  • Indians survived by hunting
• Buffalo hunt


  1. Only took place when necessary

  2. Controlled by the Dog soldiers in the tribe
• Tipis


  • Suitable for the Plains and the Nomadic lifestyle
  • Travois enabled the Indians to move their belongings around the Plains easily