40 Famous Iowans - Maxi’diwiac Waheenee (Buffalo Bird Woman)

Buffalo Bird Woman was from the Hidasta Native American tribe in the late 19^th century and early 20^th century. There are several different accounts of the skills she practiced such as food preparation, weaving, and gardening, for which she is best known. All of her gardening techniques were published in a book known today as, “Buffalo Bird Woman’s Garden”. These Hidasta farming methods were very close to those of the Ioway Indians. The book written by Bird Woman is used by museums today as a primary source of insight to how tribes farmed at the time.

Along with the book, Buffalo Bird Woman generously shared her knowledge with others who came to her with farming and gardening questions. For the Hidasta tribe, having a garden next to their earth-made home was one of the tasks completed when settling in. Gardens grew bigger as years passed and more food was needed. At the start of each growing season in April, sunflowers were planted, then later harvested and eaten. Many long hours of hard work were put into a family’s garden.

Buffalo Bird Woman and the Hidasta Native American tribe show us today what popular gardening and farming techniques were common in this time. “Buffalo Bird Woman’s Garden” explains that gardening was an important key to a tribe’s survival.