PLAINS FIRST NATIONS :
VOCABULARY
- BANNOCK
a type of bread that was cooked over the campfire.
- BIRCHBARK BASKETS
made of birchbark sewn together with spruce roots; sealed
to make watertight containers; used to store wild rice,
dried berries and other foods; decorated with paints and
porcupine quills
(drawing)
- BISON
many people called the animal a "buffalo" but this is incorrect.
Buffalo live in Asia and Africa.
- BOW DRILL
a bow with a stick, used to start campfires
(drawing)
- BREECH CLOUT
or breech cloth was a deerskin stretched between the legs and
fastened by a leather belt in the back and the
front; worn by the men and boys
- BUFFALO JUMP
a method used to kill bison - by driving the animals over the edges
of cliffs or bluffs.
- BUFFALO POUND
another method used to capture bison - by chasing the herd into a closed-in place
- BULL BOAT
small round shaped boat, frame was made of willow branches then covered with
the bison hide.
(drawing)
- CANOE
a light boat made of birchbark; a canoe could carry heavy loads
; used by the First Nations, the fur traders and explorers
- CRADLE BOARD
a frame used to hold a baby; the mother could carry the baby on her back.
(drawing)
- MEDICINE BUNDLE
a carrying case made of animal hide which held things that had a special
meaning to the owner; made after a vision quest.
(drawing)
- MEDICINE MAN
a holy person who healed the sick and performed religious ceremonies
- PARFLECHE
a folded bag used to carry things, made from the hide of an animal
(drawing)
- PEMMICAN
dried meat which was pounded to powder, combined with melted fat and
berries. The meat was usually stored in skin bags.
- QUILLWORK
a form of embroidery using porcupine quills; the quills were used to decorate
clothing, pouches and birchbark boxes and baskets
- SHAMAN (medicine man)
a holy person who was believed to be able to heal the sick and
interpret dreams and visions; he communicated with the spirit world
- SHIELD
round and made of bison hide, decorated with feathers and symbols,
had great spiritual power and protected the warrior
(picture)
- SWEAT LODGE
a dome-shaped tent made of willow branches and covered with hides and blankets, used
for cleansing ceremonies, for meditation and prayer; water was poured on heated stones
to produce steam inside the lodge.
- SWEETGRASS
a form of incense which was burnt at ceremonies
- TIPI (teepee)
a cone-shaped shelter made of poles covered with buffalo hides
- TRAVOIS
an A-shaped frame made of two long poles with a platform of wood strips,
webbing or hide for carrying things; it was
pulled by a horse or dog
(picture)
- VISION QUEST
a ceremony requiring fasting and prayer where a person would receive a vision
which would tell something about his future.
- WINTER COUNT
important events that happened each year were drawn or painted
on a large tanned animal hide
(drawing)
| index |
introduction |
words |
beliefs |
food |
clothing |
tipi |
bison |
| decoration |
family & daily life |
tools |
transportation |
links |
credits for graphics and information
J.Giannetta
jgiannet@hotmail.com
2002 (updated July 2011)
Web Pages for Students
