Gwen Westerman

“Another regular spring occurrence was the burning of the prairies. In April 1828 Taliaferro reported “Extensive fires in every direction. The Pra[i]ries are and will be burnt over—much damage to the under growth & trees. The fact of the origin of the extensive plains in the north and west may be ascribed to the yearly inroads made by fire on the wood Lands.” The previous year he had noted that native people employed fires to aid in hunting, writing, “The moment they Start upon their Winter or fall hunt, they set fire to the Prairies—which starts off the Game in every direction, to avoid otherwise certain destruction.”
― Gwen Westerman, Mni Sota Makoce: The Land of the Dakota