Final answer:
Plains Indian tribes were typically led by a Chief, with other important leadership roles including the War Chief and Peace Chief. These roles were complementarily supported by specialists like the Shaman for spiritual matters and the Storyteller for maintaining oral history.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the historic Plains Indian tribes, three positions of leadership include the Chief, War Chief, and the Peace Chief. The Chief acted as the main leader, often advised by a council, and held significant status within the tribe. The War Chief tended to be a younger man and was responsible for leading during times of conflict, while the Peace Chief held more power in daily governance and typically had greater experience.
Within this structure, there were also specialized roles such as the Shaman or Medicine Man, who was crucial for spiritual and health-related matters, and the Storyteller, who preserved and passed on traditions and history through oral narratives. The reintroduction of the horse to North America and the predominance of the bison in religious and economic life also shaped the leadership and societal roles within Plains tribes.