http://www.warpaths2peacepipes.

com/images/assiniboine-

Mili Kakadiya

Introduction

Siouan speaking aboriginals Live in two reserves in Montana, and four in Saskatchewan Ojibiwan meaning- stone enemy Population in Canada: 5618 (as of 2006) Some descendants also live in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains Very similar to the Sioux and Stoney aboriginal groups

History

Lived westward from Lake Winnipeg and into central Saskatchewan in the 1700s

Expanded their territory into eastern Alberta in the1800s

Were allies with the Algonquin, Saulteaux, and Ojibwas Encountered first Europeans in the woodlands near Lake Nipigon in the 1640s and in Manitoba in the 1730s Learned about the power of United States by explorers, Lewis and Clark Their involvement in the Unites States economy began in the 1828traded through Fort Union

http://www.challengerindy.org/Lessons/Native%20Americans/trading.jpg

Current and Former Territorial Map

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/Assiniboine01.png

Lifestyle

Used horses, dogs, and bull boats to transport goods and people Traded with the European fur trades- some acted as middlemen for the Cree Sold their buffalo robes to Hudson Bay through their middlemen Young men went to war before they were marries- after they were to hunt

Men made all tools and weapons, provided for the family, took care of their horses, and trapped fur-bearing animals for trade
Women helped butcher the game, dressed the hides, cut and dried the meat, made the family and tipi clothing, cooked, cared for their children, gathered food and water.

Also responsible for packing, unpacking, and setting up the tipi

http://animation.dinamobomb.net/1/87.htm,

Lifestyle

Their neighbouring tribes and them lived together in harmony without marking off territory. Men married between ages 20-25 women married from age 12 Space within the tipi was organized according to relationships within the family Number of horses determined their amount of wealth

http://www.assiniboinetipis.com/im2/planche3.jpg

Assiniboine Tipis

Tipi size was around 31 feet in circumference and required around 12 hides for cover On the right side of the doorway, was the familys food supplies and storage containers of many different things At the back was the place of honour- where visiting guests stay Left of the doorway was another storage place and for unmarried family members

http://blog.nmai.si.edu/.a/6a01156 f5f4ba1970b0153929ffc7d970b-

Other forms of Art

Clothing worn to the ceremonies was decorated with porcupine quillwork or beadwork War shirts were sometimes trimmed with human hair or the skins of stoats Trade items were glass beads, hawk bells, and brass and silver wire for jewellery Designs were simple and geometric Consisted of lot of carving art

http://www.alphorn.ca/assiniboine1.jpg,

Culture

Newborn babies were named 3-4 weeks after their birth, a warrior or holy person was asked to give the name. The person then received a horse as a gift for the naming ceremony. Boys obtained new names in recognition to their accomplishments, whereas girls kept their name

Each Assiniboine band had a chief- the rest of the band were there children
The position of the chief was based on merit Chiefs family is the most prestigious and largest Served as chair for the council for the band

Warfare was vital to their culture- two types: horse stealing raids, war expeditions War expeditions were usually to seek revenge against the enemy

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/Cavalry_and_Indians.JPG/300px-

Beliefs

Religious beliefs is focused around countless forces Believed that the organizer and head of these powers was the Great Mystery or the Creator Modern Assiniboine pray to Hokshi Togab (First Born Boy) as their mediator with the Creator

Spirits are all over, supreme, and humans can identify which spirits are bad and good
Believe that the created world was a gift for human beings, and that the spirits were in the humans lives to teach them and provide them protection Visions guide them to resolve or carry out whatever event they had in their lives

http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/aroundthemall/files/2011/03/Assiniboine-doll-265124_000.jpg,

Customs

Prayers consisted of burning sweet grass, a range of sacrifices, crying and self-punishments to repent for their mistakes Used sweat baths for curing Marriage required the groom to send a horse and cooked meat to persuade the brides family. Once the family agreed, the bride was to go and live the rest of her life with the groom.

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Dances

Dances celebrated many different events Was a way to meet distant relatives and celebrate the union of new and old communities

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Lodge Building Dance (Sun Dance) Most important event in the group

Held in the first part of summer, individuals come together and make vows which make them a community. Dancers fast, and purify themselves before helping build the lodges during the four days of building. The dancers sacrifice themselves to fulfill their vows of wishing the well-being and future of their community. They also paint themselves to give themselves strength.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/Sioux_sun_dance,_1874_-_NARA_-_530871.jpg

Other important dances

Fool Dance- two day ritual to give the people at the camp powers for war and hunting. It is held at the time of the Sun Dance, selected dancers wear masks and clothes to hide themselves. It also combines with the retirement of the maker and his dancers. Tea Dance- "drunken dance" involved drinking large quantities of tea and mimicking drunken behavior. Ghost Dance- introduced by the Gros Ventre- included a hand game which was a religious ceremony of foretelling. The outcome to the game is the answer to the question asked by the host of the ritual.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/13/Ghost_Dance_at_Pine_Ridge.png/800px-

References
Ember, M., Ember, C. R., & Skoggard, I. A. (2002). Assiniboine. Encyclopedia of world cultures (pp. 23-28). New York: Gale Group/Thomson Learning. Orrin, B. (n.d.). Facts for Kids: Assiniboine Indians (Assiniboines). Aboriginals. Retrieved March 13, 2013, from http://www.bigorrin.org/assiniboine_kids.ht m