Begin With a Buffalo

1. Discuss the importance of the buffalo to the survival of Native Americans of the Great Plains. These animals were used in every aspect of their lives - wool for warmth, meat for sustenance, skins for clothing, and bones for tools, weapons, and jewelry. Yet although they hunted the buffalo, the Plains tribes also honored the animal for its sacrifice.
2. Have students create a representation of this majestic animal. To begin have them soak a paper grocery bag in water, crumple and press it into a ball, then flatten it and let it air dry. Next ask them to draw a buffalo on the bag and cut it out. Have them create a background scene on construction paper and then glue their buffalo onto the scene. They can then make small replicas of some of the items made from the buffalo, such as jewelry, clothing, or tools and glue them onto the buffalo.
3. Some student classes might want to discuss the U.S. government's willful slaughter of buffalo (to near extinction) as a way to subjugate the Native Americans. Teachers can determine the readiness of students and how the local community would react to this exploration.
4. Have students present their work to the class and talk about the items they depicted.

SS: Culture: Through experience, observation, and reflection, identify elements of culture as well as similarities and differences among cultural groups across time and place.

SS: Time, Continuity, and Change: Understand linkages between human decisions and consequences.

SS: Time, Continuity, and Change: Analyze the causes and consequences of past events and developments, and place these in the context of the institutions, values, and beliefs of the period in which they took place.

Have students learn about the Inter-Tribal Buffalo Council - how tribes that were once enemies united for a common mission: to restore buffalo to Tribal lands.

The white buffalo is an important Native American symbol. It represents hope, strength, and spirituality and it appears in many legends. Have students pick a "spirit animal" that might represent them and create a tale to convey its importance.