1. People of the Plains

2. Territory of the People of the Plains
Interior Plains of the southern prairie provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba).
Territory of the Bison

3. Society - Blackfoot Bands
- Groups of 80 to 250 people that traveled and hunted together
- All tribes had a council of men and women who made decisions.
- When it was necessary, the council would appoint a Chief (someone who was brave, a good hunter, good decision-maker) to advise the tribe, not to order.
Blackfoot camp

4. The Sun Dance
- In mid-summer, the bands came together for the Sun Dance.
- The major ceremony of the plains people – (nothing to do with the Sun.)
- The Sun Dance was an emotional experience and an opportunity to arrange marriages and exchange property.

5. Hunting the Bison 2 ways of hunting Corralling them into a pound
Running off a cliff called a buffalo jump.
(above) Funneling the Herd – Lewis Parker
(right) Over the Jump – Lewis Parker

6. How important were the bison?
- Food! The bison meat made up the main part of the plains peoples’ diet.
- What is Pemmican?
- Just about everything was made from the bison.
Tipi,
Clothing,
Bow/Shield,
Storage bags,
and MORE!

7. Blackfoot
The Blackfoot had a nomadic lifestyle and followed the bison across the prairies. The bands had to be able to move quickly and efficiently.
Originally used dogs and later used horses

8. Blackfoot - Tipi
Very portable
Made of bison hide
- Property of the woman
- The “vision paintings” on the outside were the property of the man