American West

• The Plains Indians had lived their nomadic lifestyles in America for a long time before people migrated there.
• How important was the buffalo?


  The buffalo was very important and was what alot of the Indians based their beliefs and lives on.
• How was the fat from a buffalo used?

  It was used to cook, make soap and as hair grease
• What purpose did the buffalo's bones serve?


  jewellery, weapons, dice and game counters
• How was the fur from a buffalo used?


  It was used for decoration on clothes, stuffing for saddles or pillows and the make mittens and rope.
• Why is the use of a buffalo's heart interesting?


  The plains Indians would cut it from the animals body and leave it on the ground to give new life to the herd. It could also be eaten raw so that the warrior could take on the strength and power of the buffalo.
• What is the warrior society?

  They were a group of people who made sure that any hunt of the buffalo would go smoothly and no one would get caught up in the adrenaline of the process
• The way in which these Indians hunted was very dangerous; they had little protection and were right in the middle of stampedes sometimes
• An individual warrior would have been honoured to have been picked to hunt and feed their band.
• Who was prioritised when it came to feeding?

  the weaker members of the band would have been fed properly before any other
• What was the buffalo dance?


  Native Americans would do this before a hunt hoping that this would awaken the spirits and give them good luck. This was where they would dress as a buffalo and copy the animals movements. This was very important to the hunting and never would have been missed before a hunt.
• How frequent was this hunt done?

  two or three successful hunts a year
• Horses helped many people with the success of their hunts. Sometimes bands would join together to hunt in the spring. The warriors would surround and stampede the herd of buffalos while shooting arrows at them, each arrow would have a mark so that the credit was given to the man who fed his band that time.
• Who's job was it to take care of the aftermath of the hunt?

  Women and children would butcher it and sort out what they need to roast or boil
• A lot of the Buffalo was dried so it could be kept for longer.
• What did women do with the hide from the buffalo?

  It was dried, died with the brain and then used as clothes or tipi covers
• List the reasons why the horse was so important to the natives.

  • The horses allowed them to live their nomadic lifestyle
  • they changed the nature of warfare and meant they could raid over much further distances
  • horsemanship became a great deal of status/bravery
  • Wealth was counted by how many horses they have
  • It also became a mean of transport for family and home
• Who's responsibility was it to make, own and put the tipi up and down?

  Women
• The tipi was very useful for them as it was easy to put up and down, allowing them to travel quickly and frequently.
• What were the ears on the tipi for?

  They were placed at the top of the tipi and could open so that the smoke from the fire could escape.
• Inside a tipi the floor would be covered with fur and because it was so cramped, there would be strict rules.
• The Americans and Indians had very different views on the ways of life. For example, the tipi was very dirty and inefficient for Americans and a house was inhabitable for the Plain Indians.
• The circle was very important to the Indians. Why?

  They believed that everything from the power of the world to the round bottom of their home revolved around a circle shape, hence the importance of it
• What were the jobs of a man?

  hunting, looking after horses and protecting bands
• How were women judged?

  Craft skills- making clothes and preparing food.
• Did native children go to school?

  No, they were taught life skills

  • Boys were taught how to hunt and fight
  • Girls were taught to look after the home
• Why were the elderly of the band important?

  They had wisdom and would share history, they would also give advice in council. However once they are too old to travel on they would have been left behind, showing that the survival of the band was more important.
• Some marriages were arranged but most were for love.
• How would a man impress a woman?

  • gifting family with horse of buffalo skins
  • bravery
• Why would married men go to live with the wife's family?

  They traced descent through the mothers
• Was polygamy practiced within the Bands?

  Most men had only one wife, but if they were rich they might have several wives
• Divorce was allowed under what rule?

  The woman would take the tipi
• What was vital for the Indians to ensure survival?

  Co-operate
• Could a chief be elected or inherit power?

  No
• How could someone become a chief?

  They would earn it from wisdom and skill (including persuading skill)
• Within the band the chiefs are powerless unless they have support from the whole band. The people could choose to follow another chief if they felt that the current one was not worthy.
• How did the band make important decisions?

  They would set up a council for important decisions like war
• Who made up the council?

  It would be the men of the band who discussed with chiefs, medicine men and elders
• How would the council meeting come to an end?

  They would talk until everyone was agreed
• During these sessions they would smoke a ceremonial pipe, with the idea that this would help them communicate well with the spirits, so they could help them to make good decisions.