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Because of its
central location the Great Plains became a natural storage and
redistribution shed for prehistoric and historic tribes. Trade
occurred even between enemy tribes such as Sioux and the Crow who
used neutral tribes to exchange goods. At their population peak,
around 1800, all of the Plains tribes together counted for no more
than 200,000 people with the totaling Crow about 4000.
After dinner (we
will serve wild game dishes) there will be a show of sign language,
and camp dances. Sign language was well developed for Plains Indians.
Some authorities argue that the need for trade led to the development
of sign language. This allowed tribes with different languages to
communicate. Also the sign language could be seen from a distance
past hearing range.
Day 3 "Casual" day
After breakfast we will build a sweat
lodge (Indian sauna). Sioux, the Crows, the Cheyenne, and Mandans had
a custom of washing each morning and evening. The sweat lodge was
used quite intensively, and it played a central role in the Indian
life.
After lunch there will be seminar
about quillwork and beadwork, clothing, hair styles, and jewelry of
Plains Indians. Discussion will include different tribal designs and
colors of beadwork.
Before the European traders came to
the Plains country with their glass beads, the quill of the porcupine
was used for decoration. The other native beads were fashioned out of
shell, stone, bones of fish and animals, deer hoofs or toes, teeth,
and seeds. "The modern style" of beadwork came into Plains
Indian between 1870 and lasted until 1900. The Sioux, Cheyenne and
Arapaho confined themselves to the lazy stitch; the Blackfoot, Plains
Crees, and Flatheads made exclusive use of overlay.
After the seminar everybody will begin
to make their own moccasins, bead work, and try to paint faces.
Cheyenne Indians painted their faces every day to show their feelings.
Crow Indians seldom painted their faces except for special ceremonies
or battles. Painting has several meaning including way to scare enemy
and for its power as a medicine/magic. After dinner featuring a main
dish made of wild game (elk, deer, or moose) everybody can take a
sweat bath.
Day 4 "Warrior day"
After breakfast there will be a
discussion on Indian warfare and demonstration of war tactics by
instructors with and without the use of horses.
All Indian men were trained to become
a warrior. There were two main types of trips made into an enemy
territory. Some journeys were to fight with the enemy, but majority
was to capture horses. Horse-raiding groups consisted of up to twenty
persons while war parties ranged from fifteen up to several hundred
men. Each group included young men for the training purposes. Raiding
trips were usually short lasting for two weeks. Some lasted for
several months. On foot or horseback the war party traveled on a
prairie, with the war leader always in front and the youngest men
last. (Picture: Pat)
After lunch, a seminar and discussion
about Indian war weapons and their uses: bows, arrows, lances, knives,
clubs, hatchets and guns will be presented. The primary weapon was
the bow and arrow. Two type of lances were used by Plains Indians,
the hunting and the war lance. War lance was more decorated than
hunting lance and many were wrapped with strips of animal fur, such
as otter, beaver, mink and weasel. It was thought that a lance
wrapped with their fur would manifest the same abilities to fight the
enemy. (PICTURE: bigbow)
Later we will learn how to make
("knap") your own arrow head or knife using authentic
Indian stone tools (antler and stone). (PICTURE: tools). Before
dinner we will play a game which was a way to learn how to
participate in battle (the way of Indian "war" training).
Instructors will be demonstrating the warfare skills (tracking,
camouflage, etc.) in a simulated Indian battle. After dinner (featuring
wild game dishes) the seminar about battles of Plains Indians and
about the life of typical Plains Indian warrior will be presented.
Day 5 "Hunting and Gathering"
day
After breakfast we will have a seminar
about "Indian and the buffalo" including how the Indian
hunted and procured buffalo. Hide preparation methods and the uses
made of the buffalo will be presented. The major part of Indian life
revolve around buffalo. (PICTURE: bison2.jpg) They moved with them
during all but the winter months. All of Plains tribes had special
songs which in they believe would make a buffalo approach their camp
areas. Buffalo was a main diet of the Plains Indian. They make many
uses of each buffalo part. The preparation of hide was a role of
women. They used urine and brain of buffalo which contained a special
type of acids and oil good for skin preparation. The buffalo also
played an important role in Indian religion.
After lunch we will show the way a
buffalo was hunted. Later, our cook will have seminar on the Indian's
way of cooking, type of foods and everybody will help to prepared
real Indian meal. After a traditional Indian dinner everybody will
work on crafts and bead work and try to finish their own moccasins.
Day 6 "Indian game" day
After breakfast there will be a
seminar on the social customs of Warrior Societies and Indian games.
Indian parents and grandparents often
expressed a great love and fondness for their children and they never
abused them in any way. When children were four or five years old,
they received their own clothing, utensils for eating, tools for use
in their activities and a separate bed. They have also received fine
clothing for participating in festivals. Children's game were
educational and played a significant role in their development. We
will play some Indian games such as hoop and stick, hand and plum pit.
After lunch we will hike to an 80 foot (24 m) water fall. On a way we
will have opportunity to see Wyoming wildlife such as mountain sheep,
mule deer, elk, antelope, golden eagles, and coyotes. (PICTURE:
horn2.jpg)
Day 7 "Archeology" day
During this day we will have a
possible expedition to the archeological excavation site and visit
other archeological sites e.g. stone circles in Sybille Canyon. The
archeological site is on of the oldest in Wyoming and may dated back
10,000 years old. We will go for a hike and on a way we will see
Indian artifacts such as flakes, which are the stone chips removed
during the making of arrow heads.
In a evening we will have a seminar
about the prehistory of the Plains Indian. We will discuss the life
ways (hunting styles, projectile points, housing etc.) of various
tribes and how they changed through time
Day 8 "Final" day
After breakfast everybody will finish
Indian crafts, weapons, moccasins. During this last half day of free
time everybody can consult our instructors and ask as many questions
as possible. After dinner we will depart to Laramie and it depends on
your own schedule of you will stay in the Annie Moore's Guest House
or depart.
(This article is contributed by Western
Advantures - Editor.)
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Plains Indian life was carried out at 4 levels: the family, the
community, the tribe and the society. Everyone agreed that for the
general good of the community it is better to give than to receive.
After lunch we will have seminars and discussions about life in a
tepee. Topics include: "The Indian tepee, its history,
construction and use"; "Manners of daily Plains Indian
life"; Lesson on making fire using flint and steel;
Construction and discussion of an Indian altar.