a herd of horses could be obtained, the loss of a warrior or two was considered acceptable. Generally speaking, given the small sizes of the bands and the vast population of the United States, the Plains Indians sought to avoid casualties in battle, and would avoid fighting if it meant losses. Due to their mobility, endurance, horsemanship, and knowledge of the vast plains that were their domain, the Plains Indians were often victors in their battles against the U.S. army in the American era from 1803 to about 1890. However, although Indians won many battles, they could not undertake lengthy campaigns. Indian armies could only be assembled for brief periods of time as warriors also had to hunt for food for their families. The exception to that was raids into Mexico by the Comanche and their allies in which the raiders often subsisted for months off the riches of Mexican haciendas and settlements. The basic weapon of the Indian warrior was the short, stout bow, designed for use on horseback and deadly, but only at short range. Guns were usually in short supply and ammunition scarce for Native warriors. The U.S. government through the Indian Agency would sell the Plains Indians guns for hunting, but unlicensed traders would exchange guns for buffalo hides. The shortages of ammunition together with the lack of training to handle firearms meant the preferred weapon was the bow and arrow. Research The people of the Great Plains have been found to be the tallest people in the world during the late 19th century, based on 21st century analysis of data collected by Franz Boas for the World Columbian Exposition. This information is significant to anthropometric historians, who usually equate the height of populations with their overall health and standard of living. Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains and Canadian Prairies Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains are often separated into Northern and Southern Plains tribes. Anishinaabe (Anishinape, Anicinape, Neshnabé, Nishnaabe) (see also Indigenous peoples of the Northeastern Woodlands) Saulteaux (Nakawē), Manitoba, Minnesota and Ontario; later Alberta, British Columbia, Montana, Saskatchewan Apache (see also Southwest) Lipan Apache, New Mexico, Texas Plains Apache (Kiowa Apache), Oklahoma Querecho Apache, Texas Arapaho (Arapahoe), formerly Colorado, currently Oklahoma and Wyoming Besawunena Nawathinehena Arikara (Arikaree, Arikari, Ree), North Dakota Atsina (Gros Ventre), Montana Blackfoot Kainai Nation (Káínaa, Blood), Alberta Northern Peigan (Aapátohsipikáni), Alberta Blackfeet, Southern Piegan (Aamsskáápipikani), Montana Siksika (Siksikáwa), Alberta