Who were the Plains Indians?

Indian Beliefs: rite of passage (hint - vision)

-1st vision was rite of passage -spend time in a sweat lodge until they were clean, then fast and pray until they had their vision -interpreted by the local medicine man, who would give them their adult name based upon the vision -later in life, the indigenous Plains Indians would rely upon visions to help them overcome big events (e.g. before the Battle of Little Bighorn, Sitting Bull had an important vision of the American soldiers falling, and he believed this meant he would be victorious)

Indian Warfare: what were not reasons for Indians to go to war?

-conquering others -gaining land

The Plains Indians who lived in the _________ Great Plains had _________ survival, and this was their ________ - which would lead to conflict as the __________ moved in

-harsh -adapted for -homeland -white settlers

Why did Indian bands work together?

-to survive they had to -spread out across Plains to find buffalo -supported each other in times of trouble

Indian Warfare: give 2 reasons they scalped their enemies

1)as a trophy 2)to stop the enemy going to the 'Great Hunting Ground' in the sky and facing them in the afterlife

Indian Society: how did the chiefs make important decisions?

Advised by their band's council

Indian Beliefs: the importance of the circle

Almost everything that was important to them was circular: the horizon formed a circle around them, the Sun and the Moon, tipis were circular, shields etc.

Indian Society: What were tribes made up of, and when would these meet?

Bands (10 to 50 families), who would often meet once or twice a year for the buffalo hunt

Indian Society: Who were the leaders of Indian society, and why were they chosen?

Chiefs, who were chosen for their skill (e.g. leadership, spiritual, wisdom, as a warrior)

Indian Warfare: real honour came not from killing, but from what?

Counting coup - touching the enemy with his hand or a specially decorated stick without being hurt

Indian Beliefs: dance

Dances were used when the whole tribe needed to contact the spirits e.g. buffalo dances (which were done before a big hunt, to ensure its success) and the sun dance (which involved young warriors and was one of the most important ceremonies of a Plains Indian's life).

Family Life: roles

Each person had an equally important role, working together was key to survival. Women (squaws) were responsible for the home and family, they also turned buffalo remains into hides and meat. Men were responsible for hunting, looking after the horses and protecting the bands. Elders were often members of the tribal council and their opinions were respected.

Indian Society: What limited the chiefs' power?

Everything had to be agreed with by the well-respected tribal council (a group of elders, medicine men and chiefs). Quiet and honest men were chosen to be council members.

Indian Warfare: what did Indians think was brave?

Facing responsibility without taking unnecessary risks

Who were the Plains Indians?

Groups of indigenous people who lived across the Great Plains of America, between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains

What was survival on the Plains based on?

Hunting buffalo and the following of their migration across the Plains. Survival relied on hunting skills.

Who made up the Plains Indians?

Many different Indian tribes (e.g. the Sioux, Crow, Arapaho and Comanche). They weren't unified, several tribes were sworn enemies and would often go to war. However, tribes depended on each other for survival.

Indian Beliefs: spiritual aspects of the community

Medicine men, or shamans, were in charge of these. They were healers and priests all rolled into one. They administered herbal remedies, and helped to drive out evil spirits by making charms and amulets for protection.

What lifestyle did they have?

Nomadic - they constantly moved camps. They lived off the land - they were hunter-gatherers, eating wild fruits and berries.

Indian Society: Name 2 famous chiefs

Red Cloud and Sitting Bull

Indian Warfare: What was evidence of success?

Taking scalps of enemies or stealing horses

Indian Warfare: What did white people see the Indians scalping as evidence of?

The Indians being savages

Who were the largest Plains Indians tribe?

The Sioux, who contained smaller tribes like the Lakota - which was made up of 7 sub-tribes, such as the Hunkpapa and Ogala

Indian Beliefs: land

The spirit world was somewhere up there, so high land was considered particularly spiritual as it was closer to the spirit world. Some tribes placed their dead on platforms, to help the spirit reach the spirit world more easily. Although, all land was sacred - 'the mother'. It couldn't be owned (it would be like someone owning another person). They believed that they themselves were part of the land - they had come from it and would return once they died. Farming or mining was disrespectful. Some land was especially sacred - such as the Black Hills to the Siox (they were burial grounds).

Indian Warfare: What would happen if they were losing?

The war parties would run away from the fight

Indian Beliefs: hint - spirits

They believed in the Great Spirit, who had created the world and everything in it. The Great Spirit lived in the spirit world, where everybody who had died then lived. Everything in the world had spirits (e.g. people, animals, plants and rocks). These were very important, because the spirits' happiness or unhappiness could affect daily life. So, they prayed and made offerings to the spirits to keep them happy, hoping this would bring help when they needed it. The spirits could be contacted directly through visions.

Indian Warfare: Why did they fear being scalped?

They believed that, if your enemy had your scalp, they had your spirit

Indian Society: how did the council make important decisions?

They discussed important issues and no decision would be made until all men had agreed to it

Why were tipis suitable for them?

They were made from wood and buffalo skin, and were warm in winter and cool in summer. Its cone shape made it resistant to being knocked over by the strong wind. It also allowed them to pack up camp and move within minutes.

What was the role of horses?

They were needed for hunting buffalo and for the constant travel, as well as being important for status (men measured wealth with horses). They were also key to warfare, and Indians would often raid others to steal horses. Horsemanship was a sign of warrior bravery.

Indian Warfare: Why did they fight, mainly?

To protect their hunting grounds, to steal horses or weapons, revenge/honour

Indian Society: What were warrior brotherhoods?

Trained young fighters who led the buffalo hunt and went to war, they didn't have to follow council orders (which led to problems)

What did some Indians live in during winter?

Wooden lodges