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Diverse Cultures of the Northern Plains Indian Peoples

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The Northern Plains Indian peoples have diverse cultures from tribe to tribe. This engaging and interactive curriculum resource will take you and your students on a journey using primary sources, oral histories, and content as you learn about these cultures in both the past and present.

Ken Blackbird (b. 1956). Headdresses, Fort Belknap Powwow, Montana, 1991. MS 426 Ken Blackbird Collection. P.426.02556
Ken Blackbird (b. 1956). Headdresses, Fort Belknap Powwow, Montana, 1991. MS 426 Ken Blackbird Collection. P.426.02556

This resource is perfect for students, teachers, and families! And, teachers—all content is standards based meeting national standards in Social Studies, as well as Indian Education for all standards in Wyoming and Montana.

As you navigate this curriculum, click on the headings below. You can also start in the “Land of Many Gifts” and click on the link at the end of this and each section to continue your journey.

Land of Many Gifts

White Arm family hunting camp, Absaroke (Crow). Black and white lantern slide. MS 95 William A. Petzoldt Lantern Slide Collection. LS.95.80

Follow the seasons to learn about the village life of Plains Indian peoples in the past.

Buffalo and the People

Crow women hanging meat to dry, and fleshing hides, ca. 1903-1925. MS 95 William A. Petzoldt Lantern Slide Collection. LS.95.82

Learn about the importance of buffalo to the Native people of the Plains.

Honor and Celebration

Elder sitting with boy, ca. 1922-1935. MS 165 Thomas B. Marquis Collection. PN.165.1.47

Learn about the importance of ceremonies to Plains Indian life in both the past and present.

Adversity and Renewal

Rocky Boy Powwow Grand Entry, Montana, 2005. MS 426 Ken Blackbird Collection. P.426.05372

Learn about the importance of adversity and renewal to Plains Indian peoples from the past, present, and future.

About Megan Smith

Megan Smith is the K-12 Curriculum and Digital Learning Specialist at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. She manages the direction, development, and implementation of all K-12 curriculum and digital learning initiatives including Skype in the Classroom, online interactive curriculum and resources, STEM Innovation Lab and programming, and onsite K-12 programming.
Megan is an award-winning author and editor of non-fiction science, social studies, reading, and religion books, teacher guides, ancillary products, and online digital supplements for Pre-K through high school. Projects include basal configurations and products used for integrated and digital curriculum. She was most recently a contributing writer for the Webby Award winning National Geographic Education Resource Library. She earned a B.S. in Environmental Science from Indiana University and a M.S. in Ecology from the University of New Haven.

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