Assiniboine Topics – Access Genealogy

Games of the Plains Tribes

Games among the Plains tribes served as both entertainment for children and gambling for adults, with unique customs emerging in different tribes. Notable games include a ring-throwing game popular among the Dakota, Omaha, and Pawnee, and a hoop game tied to buffalo calling rituals and the ghost dance among the Dakota. While some games are widespread, others retain regional variations. Overall, the Plains tribes’ cultural traits, particularly in material culture, show a distinct regional identity largely shaped by their environment, rather than linguistic or political affiliations.

Indians of the Great Western Prairies

The post reflects on the tribes of the Great Western Prairies, particularly the Crows and Blackfeet, who inhabit the regions around the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers. The Blackfeet, once over thirty thousand, faced a devastating smallpox outbreak, reducing their numbers significantly. These tribes exhibit strength and resilience, living primarily off buffalo and horses. They maintain rich cultural practices, such as the significant medicine-bag tradition. The text also highlights their continual conflicts with neighboring tribes, along with notable tales of love and rivalry within their communities.

Montana Land Patents – Assiniboine Tribe

A record of Montana land patents for the Assiniboine Tribe, listing patentee Maggie Martin and her patent date of July 2, 1947, along with document and accession numbers.

Fort Peck Reservation

The Fort Peck Reservation, established through various treaties, spans 1,776,000 acres in northeastern Montana and is home to the Assiniboine and Yankton Sioux tribes. The Indian population in 1890 totaled 1,840, residing in approximately 500 log houses, often poorly equipped for health and comfort. Agriculture proves unreliable due to insufficient rainfall, leading to dependence on government rations. While some cultural practices persist, there is a visible shift toward more Western lifestyles, though challenges in education and adaptation remain significant.

Fort Belknap Reservation

The Fort Belknap Reservation in Montana is home to the Assinaboine and Gros Ventre tribes, encompassing 537,600 acres. Established through various treaties and changes, the reservation’s population in 1890 was 1,722. The Assinaboine predominantly reside along the Milk River, while the Gros Ventres live in the southern mountains. Despite their cultural differences, both tribes face challenges in subsistence, reliant mostly on government rations. Their living conditions are poor, with limited engagement in agriculture, and issues like gambling and alcohol abuse are prevalent among them.

Assiniboin Indians

The Assiniboin Indians, derived from a Chippewa term meaning “one who cooks with stones,” belong to the Siouan linguistic family and are a branch of the Dakota. Historically, they inhabited the Saskatchewan and Assiniboin River valleys in Canada and the northern United States. Their significant history includes a separation from the Yanktonai band, shifting alliances with the Cree, and conflict with southern relatives. The population fluctuated due to factors like smallpox, with estimates ranging from 10,000 in 1780 to around 2,000 by the 1930s.

Treaty of September 17, 1851

On September 17, 1851, a treaty was established at Fort Laramie between U.S. commissioners and various Indian nations, including the Sioux, Cheyennes, and Crows. The treaty aimed to promote peace among the nations, recognize U.S. rights to establish infrastructure, and ensure protection for the tribes. In return, the tribes promised restitution for wrongs against Americans and designated their respective territories. The U.S. agreed to provide annual financial support for ten years, contingent upon adherence to treaty terms. This document laid the groundwork for future relations and territorial acknowledgment.

Houses of the Assiniboin Tribe

A skin lodge of an Assiniboin chief - Karl Bodmer

The Assiniboin Tribe, originating from the Yanktonai in northern Minnesota, migrated to the Saskatchewan and Assiniboin rivers, forming close ties with the Cree. Encounters in the late 18th century, notably documented by Alexander Henry, showcased their circular tents made from ox-skins and the organized structure of their camps. Each village comprised numerous tents housing multiple families. The Assiniboin were also known for their mobility, often relocating vast camps during hunts or visits to other tribes, highlighting their communal lifestyle and reliance on buffalo resources.

Atsina Tribe

The Atsina Indians, a subset of the Arapaho, are historically linked to the Blackfeet but currently reside with the Assiniboin in Montana. In 1904, their population was recorded at 535, with a declining trend. They refer to themselves as Aä´ninĕna, meaning “white clay people,” while other Arapaho call them Hitúnĕna, translating to “beggars.” The Atsina have played a minor role in history and are often mistaken for the Hidatsa, or Gros Ventres, of the Missouri River region.

Blackfoot Tribe, Past and Present

Fifty years ago, the Blackfoot Tribe, comprising the Piikuni, Blackfeet, and Bloods, commanded vast territories dominated by buffalo herds. Their history reflects a migration from the north, driven south by conflicts, until they thrived on the plains with abundant resources. However, the disappearance of buffalo and the encroachment of white settlers have severely diminished their numbers and way of life. Today, a few remain, navigating the shift from their traditional lifestyle to an uncertain agricultural existence, embodying the poignant intersection of their storied past and a challenging present.

Assiniboin Indian Bands and Divisions

The Assiniboin tribes exhibit a complex structure with varying band names due to their loose organization and nomadic lifestyle. Early explorers like Lewis and Clark and Maximilian documented several divisions, including Menatopa and Itscheabine. By 1808, Henry identified eleven bands, but many, such as the Minishinakato, remain less clearly defined. Additional geographical divisions are noted, reflecting the tribe’s diverse affiliations and territories, including the Assiniboin of the Meadows and Turtle Mountain Sioux.

Assiniboin Indian History

The Assiniboin, originally part of the Yanktonai tribe, separated prior to 1640 and are noted in early Jesuit records. Traditionally, they inhabited regions near Lake of the Woods and Lake Winnipeg. They experienced significant population shifts and conflicts, predominantly with the Dakota, while adapting as nomadic hunters and gatherers on the plains. The tribe’s population was drastically reduced due to smallpox in the 1830s, though they have slowly increased since. By 1904, the Assiniboin numbered around 2,600, residing primarily in Montana and Canada.

Assiniboin Indian Research

This page offers resources for researching Assiniboin ancestry, detailing the Assiniboin Indians’ history as a notable Siouan tribe with origins linked to the Yanktonai. Separating before 1640, they were documented by Jesuit sources near Lake Alimibeg. The content includes biographies, genealogical resources, and data on census records, cemeteries, and tribal histories. Furthermore, it provides insights into the Assiniboin’s involvement in early trade and conflicts, along with information on treaties and educational resources related to the tribe.

Dakota-Asiniboin

The Dakota people were first documented in the Jesuit Relations from 1639-40, with records indicating their presence in various regions, including the upper Mississippi. The Teton Dakota’s historical claim to the Black Hills predated white contact. By 1862, tribal unrest resulted in a significant conflict, highlighting various notable Dakota leaders. The Asiniboin, separated from the Yanktonai around the mid-17th century, were recognized as a distinct Sioux tribe. Despite population declines, many Asiniboin continue to inhabit regions in Canada today.

1837 Smallpox Epidemic

The smallpox epidemic of 1837 had a devastating impact on Native American tribes in the Missouri Valley. Originating on a steamboat, the disease spread rapidly, decimating populations— Mandans dropped from 1,600 to 31 and Minnetarees from 1,000 to 500. The Assiniboins, Crows, and Blackfeet suffered similarly heavy losses, with an estimated 10,000 deaths. Eyewitness accounts described a haunting scene of desolation, with empty lodges and scattered corpses, reflecting the profound tragedy that swept through the region, leaving a scar on the landscape and the survivors.

Plains Indians Use of Rawhide

Plains tribes uniquely utilized rawhide for binding and hafting, substituting it for materials like nails and twine. Prominent among their creations are parfleche bags, primarily used for storing food, which demonstrate simple yet effective construction. Various styles of rawhide bags, including rectangular and cylindrical forms, served functional purposes such as tool storage and gathering. The rich decorative traditions across tribes like the Dakota, Cheyenne, and Blackfoot highlight the cultural significance of these items, which have evolved in both use and craftsmanship over time.

Plains Tribes Clothing

Fig. 47. Arapaho Moccasin with Symbolic Decoration.

In Plains tribes, men’s clothing was simple, often consisting of a breech-cloth and moccasins, with buffalo robes for public appearances. Women’s attire included a sleeveless dress made from deerskin or elkskin, with tribal variations in style. Hair was significant, commonly worn long, with men often featuring distinctive braids and women wearing their hair in two braids. Accessories such as beads and pendants were popular, with minimal tattooing and ear piercings. Overall, clothing and adornment reflected both cultural identity and practicality.

Religion and Ceremonies of the Plains Tribes

The Plains tribes’ mythology is rich, encompassing a variety of sacred beliefs and narratives that share similarities with European legends. Prominent among these tales are deluge myths and hero narratives, often featuring supernatural beings like the Blackfoot’s Napiw. While tribes have unique beliefs, many themes overlap, revealing cultural connections. Religious concepts diverge from Western notions of a singular deity, focusing instead on a controlling power expressed through the natural world. Rituals involve personal medicine bundles, pivotal in both individual and communal ceremonies, highlighting the spiritual life of these tribes.

Government and Societies of the Plains Tribes

Fig. 35. A Dog Dancer. Hidatsa. (After Maximilian.)

The political structure of the Plains tribes was generally informal and democratic. Various clans recognized multiple leaders, with some tribes like the Dakota and Omaha featuring councils of appointed elders. Groups were often termed confederacies, but these were primarily alliances rather than formal governing bodies. The tribes also developed soldier bands for policing and enforcement, with unique ceremonial and military societies. Age societies organized men by rank, and similar societies existed for women, reflecting shared cultural elements among the tribes.

Assiniboin Indian Clans, Bands and Gens

The Assiniboin people have several subdivisions, including clans, bands, and gens, with varying degrees of historical documentation. Notable groups include the Chabin division, Eagle Hills band, and Gens de Pied, each described in different contexts during the 19th century. The Itscheabine division, encountered by Lewis and Clark in 1804, consisted of 850 members and had complex relationships with neighboring tribes. They engaged in trade with major fur companies but struggled with alcohol dependency. By 1853, they were reduced to 10 lodges.