Wichita in Sedgwick County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Dream Animals

The Strength of the Shield

— Plains Indians Life, Beliefs and Practices —

Dream Animals Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2011

1. Dream Animals Marker

Inscription.
Animals that appeared in dreams, it was believed, could convey strength to the shield of a warrior. Special medicines made from "dream animals," such as the eagle or buffalo, were tied to the shield or placed under the outer cover. Long pendants of animal hides, buckskin or blanket cloth, often decorated with eagle feathers, were attached to the shield itself. These endowed the warrior with the animal's courage and abilities.

War shields were made of hammered buffalo hide stretched over a hoop of willow. Although they could be punctured by a direct blow, a shield struck at an angle was strong enough to deflect lances, arrows or even a musket ball in some cases.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures.

Location. 37° 41.492′ N, 97° 21′ W. Marker is in Wichita, Kansas, in Sedgwick County. It can be reached from Veterans Parkway. The marker is on the Keeper of the Plains plaza, at the confluence of the Big and Little Arkansas Rivers, about 500 feet ESE of the Mid-America All-Indian Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 650 North Seneca Street, Wichita KS 67203, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Tipis (here, next to this marker); Ceremonial Pipes (here, next to this marker); Chiefs (here, next to this marker); Eagles (here, next to this marker); Way of the Horse (a few steps from this marker); Ceremony (a few steps from this marker); Warriors (a few steps from this marker); Women (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wichita.

Also see . . .
1. Mid-America All-Indian Center, Wichita. (Submitted on June 24, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. The Keeper of the Plains. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on October 19, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Keeper of the Plains Plaza Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2011

2. Keeper of the Plains Plaza Markers

(l-r) Dream Animals, Tipis, Ceremonial Pipes, Chiefs, Eagles, and Way of the Horse

Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 686 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 24, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.