By the mid-1800s, times began to change. Buffalo furs became popular and fur traders flooded onto the Canadian prairies. In exchange for furs, traders introduced the Plains Indians to a potent ...

Buffalo has thin, sparse fur that they keep year-round ... the bison was not only a spiritual animal for Native American people – but an important part of their livelihood.

the fur trade was also contributing to the destruction of the buffalo herds on the plains. Weakened by whiskey, disease and dwindling food supplies, the native nations were ill-equipped to deal ...