PLAINS FIRST NATIONS
TOOLS, WEAPONS, OTHER ITEMS

FOR THE HUNT

spear
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.
bow and arrow

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

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)







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credits for graphics and information

J.Giannetta, June 2002
(updated July 2011)
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