The buffalo was important to the Indians because: Buffalo hide could be made into clothes, covers or tipis (or tepees). In this way the buffalo provided coverings to keep them warm and was also used to make their homes.
The buffalo is the very sources of life for the plains Indians. From the buffalo they got meat for food, skins for tipis, fur for robes, and anything else was for tools and things needed for everyday life. ... Bones, hooves, insides, horns, and hides. Even the buffalo's dung was used to make fuel.
The Sioux Indians used the entire buffalo following a kill. The buffalo hide was used for making tepees, clothes, moccasins, and robes. The hair was used to make rope and the horns were used as cups and dishes. Children fashioned sleds out of buffalo ribs, and buffalo fat was used as glue.