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Plains Indians depended upon the buffalo for their survival. For thousands of years, tribes of the Plains region were hunters and made great use of the animals they killed. The buffalo hunt was a festive occasion that all Indians looked forward to, as it would ensure their livelihood in the upcoming winter months.
1. In what area did the buffalo originally roam?
2. What is the difference between a buffalo and bison?
3. How large is the average bison?
4. How fast can a bison run?
The buffalo was a magnificent creature
that took quite a bit of marksmanship to kill, especially when the Plains
Indians used only a bow and arrow or spear to kill the giant animal!
The
1840s marked the beginning of a historic migration to the westward portion
of our nation. Hundreds of thousands pioneers passed through the
prairie lands lured by the promise of lush farmlands and gold.
Along the way, Native Americans grew wary of the new visitors, hoping they
were just passing through their lands. As more and more pioneers
began to settle the country, Plains Indians lost their lands and wars broke
out between the settlers and Indians.
The Battle of the Little Bighorn
In
June, 1876, Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer led a battalion of soldiers
into the valley of the Little Bighorn. All 200 were killed after
a frontal assault on several thousand Sioux and Cheyenne. The battle
is known as "Custer's Last Stand." The braves of Crazy Horse and
Sitting
Bull were in their glory, but vengeance
would soon come.
1. What was Sitting Bull's Indian name? His nickname? Why?
2. What did the Fort Laramie Treaty promise the Sioux? What happened to that promise? Why?
3. In what religious ceremony did Sitting Bull take part? Describe what happened.
4. In 1885, what did Sitting Bull join?
5. Inspired by the prophet Wovoka, Plains Indians took part in this dance in 1889.
6. In what year did Sitting Bull die?
7. In what state did the Battle of the Little
Bighorn take place?
1. Describe what happened the morning of December 29, 1890.
2. Where is the monument commemorating the
victims of the Wounded Knee massacre?
1. What do you think is the meaning of Black
elk's EARTH PRAYER ?
In 1882, the United States Government
passed the Dawes Act, which encouraged Native Americans to become
farmers and assimilate to the white culture. Many Indians resented
the loss of their way of life, as reservations became the new homes of
Native Americans.
1. Describe the differences in the photographs
of these Lakota youth.