Part 5: Culture of the American Indians of North Dakota
Part 5: In a Nutshell
All of North Dakota’s Indian tribes are Plains Indians because North Dakota is on the plains.
“Culture” is the way of life of a group of people.
Elders are the most respected people of a tribe because they have wisdom.
The tipi was the main home of most of the nomadic tribes and was also used by other tribes on hunting trips.
The agricultural tribes lived in earthlodges.
The birch-bark wigwam was the main dwelling of the Chippewa people.
Before the arrival of the horse on the plains, dogs were used to help transport goods.
A travois, pulled by a dog or a horse, was a frame for carrying goods.
All of the Plains Indians depended on the bison for food.
Pemmican was a healthful dried food that was easy for hunting parties to carry.
After the bison were gone, most Plains Indians were forced to move to reservations so that they would not starve.
Many styles of regalia have been handed down through the generations and are worn today for special occasions.
Many children from reservations were forced to attend boarding schools where they were forbidden to speak their own language or dress in their own clothes.
The Plains Indians believed in the Great Spirit.
The Medicine Wheel is a reminder that all things are connected.
The number “4” was special to the Plains Indians.
The Give-Away ceremony shows the importance of generosity.
The story of White Buffalo Calf Woman tells how the Lakota people got the sacred pipe.
The most important religious event of the Lakota and other Plains Indians was the Sun Dance.
A medicine bundle is given to a person at birth and is buried with that person at death.
An eagle feather is a sacred object for American Indians.
It is against the law for a non-Indian to possess an eagle feather.
A powwow is a social event of getting together with friends and dancing.
The drum is the basic musical instrument used at powwows because it is a symbol of the heartbeat of the universe.
The whole setting of a powwow is a circle.
The Eagle Staff is the traditional flag of American Indians.
Descendants of Paleo-Indians, Archaic People, Woodland People, Plains Nomadic People, and Plains Village People became the modern American Indians of today.
Life for the American Indians of North Dakota changed significantly after Euro-Americans arrived in the area.
Members of tribes are citizens of two nations—their tribal nation and the United States.
The warriors of today are the men and women who serve in the military.
Veterans are shown special honor and respect.
People who understand other cultures will treat all people with respect.
American Indians add richness to our state in many ways and can feel very proud to be called “American Indians of North Dakota.”
