The Plains Indians were skilled farmers and artists who lived in organized tribes, each with their own unique language. The introduction of horses by the Spanish allowed them to more easily hunt buffalo and follow migrating herds. Their most important religious ceremony, the Sun Dance, involved dancing, singing, praying, drumming and visions to show the cyclical nature of life. Women supervised home life, gathered food, and passed down oral traditions, while men protected the village, led hunts and wars, and oversaw spiritual practices.

1. The Plains Indians

2. Who were the Plains Indians? Skilled artists Farmers agriculture the main source of food Warrior society Well-organized religion Each tribe had a unique language

6. Spanish bring the horse Used for hunting and transportation Able to follow the buffalo Buffalo grocery store for the Plains Indians able to migrate with the herds

8. Ceremonies The Sun Dance was the most spectacular and important religious ceremony of the Plains Indians Each tribe has its own distinct rituals and methods of performing the dance, but many of the ceremonies have features in common, including dancing , singing , praying , drumming, the experience of visions , fasting , and in some cases piercing of the chest or back. The dance involves fixed gazing at the sun while dancing, blowing of eagle bone whistles, fasting, and sometimes, self-torture. It shows that there is no true end to life, but a cycle of symbolic and true deaths and rebirths. All of nature is intertwined and dependent on one another. This gives an equal ground to everything on the Earth.

9. Roles of Women Supervised life in the home Gathered food Prepared meals Made tepees Cared for children Taught the traditions on their people Oral tradition

10. Roles of Men Protected family and village Hunted for family Taught hunting skills to boys Supervised spiritual life of family Military leadership

11. Waged war to Defend territory Protect people Extend territory Gain horses Prove bravery