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The plains then, were an expansive grassland which was home to the buffalo. These animals were the main resource for the indigenous groups on the land. Besides just supplying food, the buffalo were used to form a variety of tools and additional resources which were used for survival. Hunting these beasts also brought many of the groups of the land together to embark on buffalo hunts.

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The varying bands of the plains generally lived independently of one another. Each of these bands was lead by a chief: a being who held the respect of the band from their successes. When the bison began to form in large herds so would the bands to match the buffalo in their larger numbers for hunting. Traditional celebrations (the sun dance) would follow suit and the communities would once again split apart for the rest of the year.

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The plains people were the first to hold powwows to celebrate their beliefs. During this ceremony the participants were adorned with cultural regalia. Powwows were performed through song, the drums, and dancing.

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Different cultures were represented largely by the decoration of items. Paintings on items such as tipi covers and clothing were one such form. Symbols of culture were also engraved into various items.

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Life on the plains was constantly in motion; motion which followed the buffalo. Because of this the plains peoples must be able to move often. They lived in tipis which were easily portable and doubled as a carrier for other items. The tipis could be taken down and used as a sled pulled by pack dogs to carry other belongings. Horses eventually made travelling less arduous as they could be ridden and pulled more than the domestic pack dogs.

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The traditional nations of the plains were the Siksika, Piikani, Kainai, Dakota, Stoney Nakoda, Cree, Assiniboine and Tsuut’ina peoples. Through the introduction of European settlers this group expanded to include the metis.

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One of the few spiritual beliefs of the plains people was that of spirits. Spirits inhabited the bodies of animals and were believed to impact life through their interventions.

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At this ceremony people brought offerings, fasted, danced, and prayed. A distinctive feature of this ceremony was self mutilation. Mutilation was performed to show thanks to the creator for relieving a great stress in the persons life.

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A plains Cree chief who is noted for not signing Treaty 6 (1876). His band was also heavily involved in the North-West Rebellion in 1885

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Payipwat was able to earn his people treaty land within the Qu'Appelle Valley. He secured their protection by giving his fealty to the Canadian government during the North-West Rebellion.

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http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/payipwat_13E.html

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https://www.britannica.com/topic/Plains-Indian/Syncretism-assimilation-and-self-determination

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https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/aboriginal-people-plains