PLAINS FIRST NATIONS
TOOLS, WEAPONS, OTHER ITEMS

FOR THE HUNT

In the early days the First Peoples used spears with stone points. Then spears were replaced with bows and arrows. This made it easier to hunt. Arrows were lighter than spears so more could be carried. The arrows were more accurate and would go farther than a spear. The arrows were often made from the branches of an ash or willow tree. Arrowheads were made of stone.

Decoys were made to look like ducks and geese. The hunters used the decoys to attract the birds. Once the birds were close enough the hunters could shoot them.

Small game ( rabbit, gophers, birds ) were caught with snare traps.

TOOLS

Hammers were made from a rock, wooden handle and skin straps. Hammers were used to break up firewood, pound stakes into the ground and crush berries.

Knives and hide scrapers were made of sharp bones or stones. The handles were made of deer antlers or wood.

OTHER ITEMS

ITEM water bottle dishes spoons hair brushes ties drums pipes medicine balls food containers food grinder drawstring bags

MADE FROM animal skins, bison stomach birchbark or carved wood animal bones, horns, wood porcupine tails roots, strips of hide rawhide bones, wood, special stone bison hair birchbark stone animal skin (hide)

| index | introduction | words | beliefs | food | clothing | tipi | bison |
| decoration | family & daily life | tools | transportation | links |




credits for graphics and information

J.Giannetta, June 2002
(updated July 2011)
Web Pages for Students