Plains Indians and the Buffalo
Buffalo—the ultimate resource for survival
Imagine not being able to buy your clothes, tools, food, and household items at a store! During this 30–45 minute virtual field trip, students will discover that many Plains Indian tribes relied on buffalo to thrive for thousands of years as the presenter introduces them to our hands-on collection pieces. Students will also consider contemporary Plains Indian cultures and how the buffalo is still important today.
How did Plains Indians use the fur, hide, sinew, bones, and even bladder of the buffalo in their everyday lives? The lesson meets several Common Core Standards as well as national standards in history and social studies.
Additional resources
- Sway Presentation
- Land of Many Gifts Content Curriculum
- Buffalo and the People Content Curriculum
- Honor and Celebration Content Curriculum
- Adversity and Renewal Content Curriculum
- K-12 Plains Indian Resources at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West
- Please Complete the Post-Field Trip Survey
- Other Student and Teacher Resources
- Clues for the Classroom – Social Studies
YouTube videos
Plains Indians and the Buffalo
Grade Level: K–12
Length: 45 minutes (35 of instruction & 5–10 for questions)
Learning Objectives:
- To teach students how human needs and concerns are addressed within cultures
- To learn how the buffalo was and is an important part of Plains Indian culture
