People of the Plains

The Plains Indians around the area of Fort Larned were nomads who lived by hunting for their meat and gathering plants from the prairie. The most important animal for them was the American bison. Learn how they used the bison in their everyday lives.

Everything You Need

For the Plains Indians, the American Bison was like a department store. Everything they needed for their daily lives came from either the bison, other large animals like deer, or the plants they gathered on the prairie.

Match the bison parts on the left with everyday items the Plains Indians made out of them on the the right.

Personal History

Plains Indians tribes did not have a written language but they did have a way to record their history. They used bison hides to record their tribal history in what was called a winter count. Every winter they would draw one important event from the year on the hide.

Draw an important event in your life on the bison hide drawing belowing.