The Aaniiih and Nakoda were nomadic hunters and warriors. They followed the bison, commonly called buffalo, for seasonal hunting; they made use of all parts of the massive animals, for food, clothing, cord, tools, etc. Their food, clothing, and teepees were all derived from the buffalo. The buffalo was the Indian "staff of life", supporting the nomadic cultures of the Nakoda, Aaniih, and other Plains tribes. The last wild herd of buffalo in the continental United States in the 19th century roamed between the Bear Paw Mountains and the Little Rocky Mountains in the lush Milk River valley of Montana.