Plains/California/Plateau Discovery Boxes
Updated! Plains Box (Grade 2 to Adult)
The Plains box contains information on the various Indian tribes of the area with emphasis on culture, language, housing, food etc. Included are a child size tipi (with a 2 to 3 child capacity), a Lakota style doll, a parfleche, shield, moccasins, a girls dress and more. Publications included are Where The Buffaloes Begin by Olaf Baker, Quillworker, A Cheyenne Legend by Terri Cohlene and Indians of the Great Plains stencil book. Also included is the 27-minute video Lakota Quillwork, Art and Legend.
Plains/California/Plateau Audio/Visual Resources
Cheyenne -- Indians of North America Series (Grades 4-10) 30-minute video
This video accurately portrays the history, culture and way of life today of the Cheyenne people. (1993)
Comanche – Indians of North America Series (Grades 4-10) 30-minute video
This video accurately portrays the history, culture and way of life today of the Comanche people. It provides the hard facts about the role of the U.S. government in Native American affairs, debunks myths, explores their spiritual relationship with nature and discusses the role of women in their societies. Crafts, tribal music, and ceremonies are included.
Crow – Indians of North America Series (Grades 4-10) 30-minute video
A mix of archival material, graphics, live action, and interviews with elders and teachers keeps the narrative moving along to a positive conclusion showing how determined these people have been to survive and achieve. This is useful tool to introduce elementary through high school students to Native American history and culture.
Frontier Visionary: George Catlin and the Plains Indians (Grades 6 to Adult) 27-minutes
This video is a production of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. It follows the journey of George Catlin and discusses the wonderful art that he created. (2002)
The Great Indian Wars: 1840-1890 (Grade 5 - Adult) 53-minute video
This film includes recreated scenes as well as historical material from the period which captures this dark part of America’s history. (1991)
Into the Circle of the Pow-Wow (Grade 4 to Adult) 58-minute video
Filmed in Oklahoma, this is a colorful and informative guide to a Pow-Wow. (1992)
Lakota Quillwork (Anyone) 27-minute video
Discusses Sioux porcupine quilling in the past and present. (1985)
Nez Perce: Portrait of a People (Grade 3 to Adult) 23-minute video
This film depicts the history of the Nez Perce People of Idaho and discusses their life before European contact and after. It covers such important issues as the 1805 meeting with Lewis and Clark, the reservation system and the discovery of gold on their reservation.
The 1994 Crow Fair and Pow-Wow (Grade 4 to Adult) 60-minute video
Witness the excitement of contemporary Pow-Wow dancing and parades at the Crow Agency in Montana. (1994)
The People of the Great Plains (Part One): Buffalo People and Dog Days (Grade 4 to Adult) 50-minute video
A Turner Broadcasting film focusing on the early years of Plains life. (1994)
The People of the Great Plains (Part Two): The Coming of the Horse, the White Man and the Rifle (Grade 4 to Adult) 50-minute video
A Turner Broadcasting film focusing on the later years of Plains life. (1994)
Sacred Buffalo People (Grade 5 to Adult) 58-minute video
This film presents the spiritual perspective of the Native Americans in regard to the buffalo. It takes the discussion beyond just the material goods supplied by the buffalo. (1992)
The Sacred Pole (Grade 9 to Adult) 27-minute video
This video discusses the return to the Omaha Nation of a sacred pole which had been held at Harvard=s Peabody Museum. This sacred item was repatriated (returned). The film details the ceremony and the Pow-Wow celebration following the return. (1989)
Tribes of the Plains: Native American Arts (3rd- 5th Grades) 22- minute video
Bear claw necklaces, eagle feathered war bonnets, and buffalo robes covered with storytelling pictures were objects that were part of the everyday lives of these tribes. Viewers meet the heirs of these masters of the Great Plains, and learn how they created magnificently decorated practical objects for family, home and horses.
White Buffalo Calf Woman & the Sacred Pipe (Grade 1 to Adult) Activity Book
This book presents the Lakota myth of the coming of the White Buffalo Calf Woman who brought the sacred pipe to the Plains people. Included with the information on the story is a modern Lakota ceremonial pipe.
