Discover what life was like for the plains natives before and after their contact with the fur traders and settlers.
What was the Native people’s way of life before the coming of the Europeans?
How did the Europeans influence the Native people’s way of life; e.g., livelihood, family life and political structure? How did the Natives influence the European’s way of life?

The Provincial Museum of Alberta is looking for a knowledgeable group of people to create an exhibit on the life of the plains native. The display should recreate what life was like back in the 1700's.  In order to get the job you must convince a panel of museum members that yours will indeed be the best display. In groups of four create a PowerPoint presentation to show the panel members your knowledge and to tell them what you would include in the exhibit. Your presentation should include slides on the following topics:

Beliefs  Kidspiration Template

Include a number of objects that would be included in your museum exhibit that would help students gain a better understanding of the spiritual beliefs of the plain natives.

Food  Kidspiration Template

What were the main foods enjoyed by the plains natives? How did they prepare their food?

The Bison  Kidspiration Template

Use the paint program to draw a bison. Paste the picture into your PowerPoint presentation.  Describe how this animal influenced the life of the plains native.

Clothing  Kidspiration Template

Find five clothing items which might be displayed in a museum of the Plains Indians.

Shelter  Kidspiration Template

Use the Paint program to illustrate an aspect of finding or making shelter on the Plains before 1700.

Family Roles and Traditions Kidspiration Template

Describe activities and duties of the various family members.

Transportation Kidspiration Template

Describe and include pictures of the various modes of transportation used by the plains natives.

Arrival of the horse Kidspiration Template

Research the history of the horse on the Plains and explain how it improved the lives of people.

Hunting Kidspiration Template

What was the traditional way of the Plains Indians to hunt the buffalo?

Arrival of the fur traders and settlers Kidspiration Template

Describe how the arrival of the fur traders and settlers changed the culture and lifestyle of the plains natives. In your opinion were these changes positive or negative?

** Each group must also include a drawing illustrating an aspect of life on the Plains before 1700  that can be added to the art gallery

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Susan Mackey
January 2004