The Women's Role

The ultimate achievement for a woman in Native American societies is being a mother and rearing a healthy family. Even though many Indian women attained distinctions as religious practitioners, medicine women and skilled artisans in craft work, in no way did these tasks affect their role as bearers and raisers of children. 

Although infant mortality was probably very high among early Native American women and many women undoubtedly died in childbirth, every precaution was used by prospective mothers to ensure safe delivery and healthy children. Early Plains Indian women relied on herbal medicines, myths and superstitions to guide them during their pregnancies. Older women in the tribe warned first-time mothers to avoid certain foods and to be careful of their personal behavior. According to Indian custom, both were believed to be the cause of a difficult delivery or defect in the unborn baby. 

During labor women usually gathered among themselves for the ritual of birth. A prospective mother was generally assisted by her female relatives or other women of her tribe who were mid-wives and had knowledge of birth customs. In some tribes, however, it was the custom for the expectant mother to leave camp and deliver her baby all alone. Generally, the Indian culture insisted that both mother and baby remain in seclusion for a specified time. The seclusion was probably a welcomed break to the new mother from her vigorous duties. 

Plains Indian women relied on natural means to feed their babies. In caring for their newborn's needs, the women used materials provided by Mother Earth. One such item was dried buffalo manure. The women pounded the manure into a fine powder and used it as an absorbent to swaddle the baby in; when the child was soiled the swaddling was changed with a fresh supply of powder. 

Plains Indians parents had a deep affection for their children and, for the most part, were permissive; grandparents administered the discipline. Customarily, rituals were performed to welcome the newborn member into their community. But due to the high infant mortality rate, these ceremonials were often delayed until the newborn was about one year old. 

The bond between mothers and daughters was very special. However, much of the training of young girls fell to the grandmothers, who taught them to sew and cook, to tan hides, make their clothing and to fashion and decorate items. Grandmothers also instilled the tribe's moral values and traditions in their granddaughters. 

Instructions on proper conduct intensified as a girl approached puberty. Her mother and grandmother would increase the amount of tasks assigned to her; tasks that would prepare her for her lifework. She no longer enjoyed the freedom to run and play games with the other children. She would be instructed to stay near her lodge and could only venture out in company. 

Girls, as well as boys, had certain rites of passage into adulthood. Ceremonial rites of initiating adolescent girls into womanhood were usually performed by their grandmothers, with the assistance of their mothers. The ceremony also prepared young women to receive suitors. 

The marriage of a Plains Indian woman was usually arranged by her family. Marriage was viewed as a social contact for sharing responsibilities and child rearing. It was not expected to be a marriage of love. However, Plains Indian women had the right to refuse their chosen mate, but very few probably exercised that option. If a man fell in love with a young woman, he did everything in his power to impress her family. The suitor would bring gifts and horses and leave them in front of her lodge. Then he waited for a response from her family. If the proposal was rejected, the gifts, including the horses were returned to the suitor. If the proposal was accepted, the gifts and horses were taken by the young woman's family. Marriage preparations were made by both families and the newlyweds were received into the community with a wedding ceremony and feast. 

Depending upon the custom of the tribe, the couple generally lived with the bride's parents. (Plains Indians traced their descent in the maternal line and children belonged to the clan of the mother.) When enough household goods were gathered by both mothers, the bride and their relatives, the newlyweds were able to live alone. The bride's mother generally set up a new tipi for her daughter and son-in-law close to her own dwelling; in which case, a new family joined the community.