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Bison are making a comeback and can be viewed in several areas on the Lewis and Clark Trail.  A word of warning these beasts can be unpredictable and dangerous. They can run up to 35 miles per hour and turn faster than a horse.  Please view them at a distance.

States with Indian Names >>

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Buffalo >>

Lewis & Clark among the Tribes >>

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Legend of Multnomah Falls >>

BUFFALO ~ BISON 

Buffalo
DLV: Animals and the Expedition--The Buffalo
We explore the important role the bison played in the life of the American Indian as we see artifacts made from the buffalo and view footage of the bison on the plains.

PODCAST ~ The North American Bison

Buffalo Coloring Page PDF 43 kb

Historical Note:
On August 23, 1804, in South Dakota, Lewis and Clark feasted on their first buffalo.   While traveling through the Great Plains the Bison provided an excellent food source for the men. Each man ate about nine pounds of meat a day!

2,000 pounds, six feet tall at the humped shoulders - the Buffalo-"Bison"...

Its spirit was praised before every hunt with a tribal ritual dance. The buffalo supplied virtually everything that the Plain Indians needed to stay alive; food, clothing, tools, and housing. 

A.  Brains -  hide, preparation

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B.  Skull  -  ceremonies, sun dance, prayer

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C.  Horns -  cups, fire carrier, powderhorn, spoons, ladles, headdresses, signals, toys

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D.  Tongue - best part of meat

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E.  Beard -  ornamentation or apparel and weapons

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F.  Rawhide -  containers, clothing, headdresses, food, medicine bags, shields, buckets, moccasin soles, rattles, drums, drumsticks, splints, cinches, ropes, thongs, saddles, stirrups, knife cases, bull boats, quirts, armbands, lance cases, horse masks, horse forehead ornaments, bullet pouches, belts

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G.  Buckskin -  moccasin tops, cradles, winter robes, bedding, breechclouts, shirts, leggings, belts, dresses, pipe bags, pouches, paint bags, quivers, tipi covers, gun cases, lance covers, coup flag covers, dolls

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H.  Hoof & Feet -  glue, rattles

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I.  Meat -  (every part eaten)  pemmican (converted), hump ribs - immed., jerky (converted), inner parts eaten on the spot

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J.  Four Chambered Stomach -  first stomach content: frostbite & skin diseases, liner: container for carrying and storing water, cooking vessel

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K.  Scrotum -  rattles

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L.  Bladder -  sinew pouches, quill pouches, small medicine bags

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M.  Paunch -  lining for buckets, cups, basins, dishes

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N.  Skin of hind leg  -  moccasins or boots

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O.  Buffalo Chips -  fuel, signals, ceremonial smoking

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P.  Tail -  medicine switch, fly brush, lodge exterior decorations, whips

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Q.  Bones -  knives, arrowheads (ribs) , shovels, splints, winter sleds, arrow straighteners, saddle trees, war clubs, scrapers (ribs), quirts, awls, paint brushes (hipbones), game dice

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R.  Muscles -  sinew: bows, thread, arrows, cinches, glue 

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S.  Hair -  headdresses, saddle pad filler, pillows, ropes, ornaments, halters, medicine balls

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T.  Whole Animal - totem, clan symbol, white buffalo sacred, adult yellow rare-prized

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Source:
Akta Lakota Museum
Chamberlain, South Dakota

 

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