North American Indians of the Plains

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This little book is not merely a guide to museum collections from the Plains Indians, but a summary of the facts and interpretations making up the anthropology of those Indians. The specimens in this Museum were, for the most part, systematically collected by members of the scientific staff while sojourning among the several tribes. They were selected to illustrate various points in tribal life and customs, or culture.

• Preface
  • Culture Areas in North America
  • Distribution of Buffalo about 1800
  • Indians of the Plains
  • Distribution of Forests in Western United States
• Introduction
• Material Culture
  • Agriculture and Travel
  • Tipi, Earth Lodges and Villages
  • Plains Indian Dress
  • Industrial Arts
  • Use of Rawhide
  • Household Utensils
  • Weapons and Games
• Social Organization
  • Plains Indian Culture
  • Government and Societies
  • Social Distinction
• Religion And Ceremonies
  • Ceremonies and Dance
• Decorative And Religious Art
• Plains Indian Language
• Physical Type of Plains Indians
• The Chronology Of Plains Culture
  • The Pre-Columbian Period
  • The Horse Culture Period
• Origins of Plains Indians
• Bibliography

Plan Of The Plains Indian Hall

The Museum exhibits for the various tribes are arranged in approximate geographical order, beginning with the Plains-Cree of the north and proceeding with the typical nomadic tribes. In the north western part of the hall are the Shoshoni, Ute, and Nez Percé, whose culture is intermediate between that of the Plains and Plateau area. In the northeastern section are the Mandan, Hidatsa, and other Village tribes, also manifesting an intermediate culture between the Plains and that of the Woodlands to the east.

The Woodland hall to the east and the Southwest hall to the north, are so arranged as to bring the intermediate tribes of each region near the entrance to the Plains Indian hall. Thus, from case to case, one may follow changes in culture from the Atlantic Coast to the Colorado River and the Gulf of California.

This site includes some historical materials that may imply negative stereotypes reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. These items are presented as part of the historical record and should not be interpreted to mean that the WebMasters in any way endorse the stereotypes implied .

North American Indians Of The Plains, Clark Wissler, 1920