America’s Native People
Learn about the Plains Indians

 

            American Indians have probably occupied the American Continent for more than 30,000 years.  During that time Indians, who lived on the Great Plains of Montana, developed a hunter/gatherer lifestyle that depended heavily on the bison.  From the bison the Indians received meat, clothing, tools and rope.

            The H. Earl Clack Clack Museum honors the creativity and ingenuity of these original Americans with a display of one of the only bison skeletons in the United States or Canada.
            Before the arrival of the white man, native people, who had not yet acquired the horse, would drive bison over a steep hill or cliff where the injured animals could be easily killed.  After the Indians adopted the horse, and eventually firearms, buffalo jumps, as they are called today, were no longer needed.  To learn more about buffalo jumps, check out the Wahkpa Chu’gn folder on this site.
            The buffalo and other animals also provided housing for the Plains Indians.  While it is debatable whether the Plains Indians were, in fact, nomadic, it is well known that small bands moved often in search of food or due to pressure from other Indian groups who sought to possess the same hunting grounds.  Permanent housing was therefore impractical on the plains.
The Indians developed a triangular structure called a teepee that was easy to erect and dismantle and light to carry.  The teepee could be cool in the summer providing protection against the elements while also allowing for a small fire to be built during the winter.  Smoke could escape through the top of the teepee.