Courtesy Sid Richardson Museum, Fort Worth, Texas,

The Plains Indians were comprised of the Native American tribes who inhabited the Great Plains area of the United States and Canada. The introduction of the horse in the mid-18th century led to a change from an agricultural village lifestyle to one of hunting and gathering. The Plains Indians lived in teepees, which were made from buffalo hides and poles, and were easy to construct and disassemble. They also relied on the animals they hunted for food and to make clothing and tools. The nomadic lifestyle of the Plains Indians is truly represented in their artifacts and culture.