1. Wood: Wood was widely used for creating bows, arrows, spear shafts, and various other hunting and warfare implements. Woods such as ash, maple, cedar, and oak were preferred for their strength, flexibility, and suitability for woodworking.
2. Animal Products:
- Bone: Animal bones, primarily from bison, deer, and elk, were utilized to construct weapons such as arrowheads, knife handles, and lance tips. Bone provided a sturdy and sharp material when shaped and sharpened carefully.
- Sinew: Sinew, the tough, fibrous material found in animal tendons, was used as a strong and flexible binding material to attach arrowheads to shafts, fletch arrows, and secure other weapon components.
- Rawhide: Rawhide, which is animal skin that has been stretched, scraped, and dried without removing the hair, was employed to create bowstrings, shields, and quivers.
3. Stone: Various types of stone were used for weapons such as arrowheads, spear points, knife blades, and tomahawks. Flint, chert, quartzite, and obsidian were frequently selected for their hardness and ability to form sharp cutting edges when chipped and flaked.
4. Metal: As the Sioux came into greater contact with Europeans and Euro-American traders, they obtained access to metal, primarily iron and steel. These metals were incorporated into weapons, particularly knives, tomahawks, and later gun parts.