Why did many Indigenous groups in the Great Plains depend on hunting, fishing, and gathering?

Many Indigenous groups in the Great Plains relied on hunting, fishing, and gathering because these activities were essential for survival in a region characterized by a continental climate and vast grasslands. The American bison served as the primary food source and economic mainstay, providing meat for sustenance, as well as materials for clothing, shelter, and tools.1234

Following the introduction of the horse in the 18th century, many groups adopted a nomadic lifestyle to better track and hunt these large buffalo herds across the grasslands. While some tribes, such as the Mandan and Pawnee, maintained earth-lodge villages and practiced agriculture along fertile river valleys, they also engaged in seasonal hunting expeditions to supplement their food supply.12

In addition to hunting, gathering plant foods and fishing in river systems were critical, particularly for groups that followed an annual round to exploit resources as they became available in different ecological zones. This reliance on diverse subsistence strategies allowed these communities to adapt to the region's seasonal fluctuations and environmental conditions.531