During the latter part of the 17th century, Native Americans in what would become Nebraska were starting to trade for European goods, such as glass beads and metal items. In the early years, these items may have traveled through tribes in the east who were in contact with the Europeans. Later, goods came directly from European traders visiting the area.

Some of the goods manufactured specifically for trade with Native Americans that have been recovered from archaeological sites in Nebraska. Source - Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

The Plains Indians acquired guns in the 17th century from French and British Traders. However, these weapons did not replace the bow and arrow. While both guns and bows and arrows were used for hunting and warfare, the gun was preferred in battle because of its greater range, accuracy, and penetration. Guns also contributed to the migration of the various Indian tribes as the tribes who received access to guns first, forced neighboring tribes to move further west.

The first guns used by Nebraska Indians were lightweight, smoothbore, French flintlock muskets. Some were used against Villasur in 1720. By the end of the 1700s the British Norwest gun, with its serpent plate trademark, became the firearm of choice.

Unfortunately, the first white men to meet Plains Indians probably also carried alcohol as a trade item. Whiskey and other forms of alcohol soon became known as "firewater" and became a problem for tribes across the plains. Its use in the fur trade was widespread. Even though some governments banned the sale of alcohol to tribes, it was still carried by many government expeditions. Pure alcohol was brought into Indian country, but it was usually diluted with water before it was sold or traded to the Indians. Bottled spirits, like wine and patent medicines, came later. Most traders protested the use of alcohol, but claimed they were forced to use it because their competitors did.

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