1. Quizzes & Games
  2. Word of the Day
  3. Video
  4. New Words
 

Assiniboin


Assiniboin

/

Assiniboin placating the spirit of a slain eagle, photograph by Edward S. Curtis, 1908; from The …—Courtesy of the Newberry Library, Chicago, Ayer Collection

North American Plains Indian people living mostly on reservations in Montana, U.S., and Saskatchewan and Alberta, Can. They speak a Siouan language. Their name is derived from an Ojibwa word meaning “one who roasts using stones.” They were divided into bands, each with its own chief and council, and were generally friendly with American and Canadian settlers. The bands moved their camps frequently in pursuit of migrating buffalo. Prowess in war consisted of taking horses and of touching the enemy (“counting coup”) during battle. Their numbers were severely reduced by smallpox in the 1820s and '30s, after which most were placed on reservations. Assiniboin descendants numbered some 7,000 in the early 21st century.

Variants of ASSINIBOIN

Assiniboin or Stonies

This entry comes from Encyclopædia Britannica Concise.
For the full entry on Assiniboin, visit Britannica.com.

Learn More About

Seen & Heard

What made you look up Assiniboin? Please tell us what you were reading, watching or discussing that led you here.

Test Your Vocabulary

Take Our 10-Question Quiz

#6: Flabbergast
: to overwhelm with shock,
surprise, or wonder
See All Top 25 Entries »
Get Our Free Apps
Voice Search, Favorites,
Word of the Day, and More
iPhone | iPad | Android | More
Join Us on FB & Twitter
Get the Word of the Day and More
Facebook | Twitter