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Babies
Babies were a great importance to the Plains Indians. They were wrapped in a moss bag and tied to a cradle board. Moss bags were constructed with hide and filled with dry moss or cattail down. In a rare issue, buffalo chips were affixed with the moss bags. The dirtied moss was drained and reinstated when mandatory.
Children
Cradle boards were sometimes also U shaped frames. The curved part at the head of the board kept the baby’s head from falling forwards. Some cradle boards were flat boards with hide attached for holding the baby. The mother of the baby would tie the cradle board to her back and go to work, or sometimes also lean the board against something making it much simpler to carry the baby.
Elders were educators to children in the tribe. Children were educated through stories and legends by their elders. Grandparents were responsible for the children’s safety while their parents were busy with daily responsibilities. They were also taught how help members of their tribe.
When females were young, they amused themselves with toy tipis and deerskin dolls. As young girls started to grow up, they were taught from their elders how to make and garnish moccasins, how to sew, cook and tan hides.
Male children had diminutive bows and arrows and pretended to go hunts and raids. As boys started to grow up, they become skilled at building their own weapons and tools. Wrestling games were part of their training to prepare for battles and wars. At the age of 12, boys set out for their first actual hunting trip.
A young man, departed on a vision quest to become muscular. He would leave the tribe and not eat for days, sometimes even for weeks. A lonely, quiet place they would go until he had a vision or a dream. It was believed that going on the vision quest made young men stronger fighters and efficient hunters.
Woman's Duties
The following is a list of the woman’s duties:
· took care of the tipi (setting up and taking down)
· raised the children
· packed when it was time to move
· helped butcher the animals
· gathered berries and other plants
· collected firewood
· prepared the food
· prepared the skins (cleaning, curing, scraping and tanning)
· made clothing and other articles
· taught the girls the same duties
Men's Duties
The following is a list of the men’s duties:
· hunting
· protection
· fought in battles
· taught the boys to hunt and fight
· made tools, weapons and shields
