Sutaio Indians. Significance uncertain. A Cheyenne informant of Grinnell (1923) believed it was derived from issu-ht’, “ridge.”
Sutaio Connection. The Sutaio belonged to the Algonquian linguistic stock, their nearest relatives being the Cheyenne.
Sutaio Location. When first brought distinctly to the knowledge of Whites, this tribe was west of Missouri River, between it and the Black Hills.
Sutaio History. The Sutaio may have been the “Chousa” band of Cheyenne of whom Perrin du Lac (1805) heard. At any rate they were probably not far distant from the Cheyenne during their migrations from Minnesota to the Missouri River and beyond, though whether in front of them, or to one side, it is impossible to tell. According to Cheyenne tradition as reported by Grinnell (1923), the two tribes met three different times. At any rate we know that they lived side by side in the region eastward of the Black Hills for some time and that they finally united there into one body, the Sutaio taking their place as one band in the Cheyenne tribal camping circle.
Sutaio Population. Unknown. (See Cheyenne Indians)