US History: Spiconardi Great Plains Indians

Way of Life Some Indian cultures lived in permanent settlements, while others were nomadic Nomads  Common economic activities Crop raising Livestock raising Hunting-gathering Raiding peoples who wander from place to place following a food source

Way of Life Crop Raising Corn was the most common crop Livestock Sheep Horses (traded with Spanish colonizers)

Way of Life Hunting-gathering Buffalo were the primary prey of hunts Used every part of the buffalo to ensure the survival of the people Women gathered & managed domestic responsibilities Raiding Indians often raided one another for food, hides, and livestock Also warred with one another over hunting grounds

Way of Life Subsistence The goal of the economic activities were to achieve subsistence Subsistence – just enough to maintain the basic needs of life; to hunt/farm just enough to feed the family Balance When you couldn’t hunt buffalo, there were crops to eat When the crops failed due to weather, there was buffalo to hunt or tribes to raid

Way of Life Westward expansion by Americans would destroy the balance & Indian way of life