One of the most important aspects of the Native American culture was their respect for the bison (or buffalo), which provided a source of meat and hides for clothing and shelter. In summer months, when food was more abundant and the weather warm, the tribe would seek buffalo which would sustain them through the long cold winter. It was the job of the braves to find and kill, and it was the job of the women of the tribe to clean the hides and cure the meat for their life-saving winter stores.