Arapaho Topics – Page 2 of 3

Treaty of October 14, 1865 – Treaty of Little Arkansas River

The Treaty of Little Arkansas River, ratified on October 14, 1865, established a framework for perpetual peace between the United States and the Arapahoe and Cheyenne tribes. It defined their exclusive territorial rights in Kansas, mandated arbitration for grievances, and outlined their obligations, including relocation to a designated reservation. The treaty also addressed compensation for past injustices, including land grants to specific individuals affected by the Sand Creek Massacre. It further stipulates annual payments to support the tribes’ welfare for forty years.

Arapaho Indians

The Arapaho Indians, part of the Algonquian linguistic family, historically occupied areas in Wyoming and beyond. They recognized five main divisions, including Northern and Southern Arapaho, and played a significant role as raiders in the Plains. Over time, they faced conflicts with various tribes but made peace agreements by the mid-19th century. Treaty arrangements eventually confined them to reservations in Oklahoma and Wyoming. Population estimates have fluctuated, with notable historical counts recorded through the 20th century, reflecting their dynamic history.

Atsina Indians

The Atsina Indians, possibly named from the Blackfoot term meaning “gut people,” are an Algonquian-speaking tribe historically located along the Milk River in Montana and extending into Canada. They were associated with the Arapaho and had various names reflecting their identity, including “fall people” and “belly men.” The Atsina faced significant challenges over the years, including alliances and conflicts with tribes such as the Blackfeet and Crow. Their population has fluctuated from an estimated 3,000 in 1780 to around 586 by 1923, indicating ongoing struggles through the years.

Treaty of September 17, 1851

On September 17, 1851, a treaty was established at Fort Laramie between U.S. commissioners and various Indian nations, including the Sioux, Cheyennes, and Crows. The treaty aimed to promote peace among the nations, recognize U.S. rights to establish infrastructure, and ensure protection for the tribes. In return, the tribes promised restitution for wrongs against Americans and designated their respective territories. The U.S. agreed to provide annual financial support for ten years, contingent upon adherence to treaty terms. This document laid the groundwork for future relations and territorial acknowledgment.

Houses of the Arapaho Tribe

"Camp of the Gros Ventres of the Prairies" on the Upper Missouri. Karl Bodmer 1833

The Arapaho Tribe initially inhabited forested regions, likely around the headwaters of the Mississippi, before migrating to the prairies. This shift transformed their lifestyle and housing, leading to the adoption of conical skin lodges similar to those of the Siouan tribes. Their history includes encounters with early explorers like Lewis and Clark, who noted their fortified camps and hunting practices. By the 19th century, descriptions from explorers such as Fremont illustrate the vibrant Arapaho villages characterized by numerous lodges and communal buffalo hunts.

Atsina Tribe

The Atsina Indians, a subset of the Arapaho, are historically linked to the Blackfeet but currently reside with the Assiniboin in Montana. In 1904, their population was recorded at 535, with a declining trend. They refer to themselves as Aä´ninĕna, meaning “white clay people,” while other Arapaho call them Hitúnĕna, translating to “beggars.” The Atsina have played a minor role in history and are often mistaken for the Hidatsa, or Gros Ventres, of the Missouri River region.

Arapaho Indian Tribal Divisions

The Arapaho tribes are divided into five main divisions, each with unique dialects and cultural identities. These include the Northern Arapaho (Nákasinena), the Southern Arapaho (Náwunena), the Gros Ventres (Aäninena), the Bäsawunena, and the nearly extinct Hánahawuuena. The Northern and Southern groups further subdivide into local bands, reflecting their diverse heritage. Historically, these tribes were once distinct entities, now unified under the broader Arapaho identity.

Arapaho Chiefs and Leaders

Nawat, a prominent chief of the Southern Arapaho since 1889, was born around 1840 and gained recognition as a warrior and buffalo hunter. After the 1867 Medicine Lodge Treaty, he focused on maintaining peace with white settlers. Notably, in 1890, he signed the allotment agreement despite threats from the Cheyenne. After becoming blind, he transferred his leadership to a younger successor. His predecessor, Little Raven, had been a significant figure in treaty negotiations and worked tirelessly for peace and the advancement of his people until his death in 1889.

Arapahoe Tribe

The Arapaho tribe, a key member of the Algonquian family, historically transitioned from agriculture in northern Minnesota to a nomadic existence on the Plains. They formed an alliance with the Cheyenne and divided into Northern and Southern bands, each designated to different reservations in the 19th century. Known for their bravery and hospitality, they uphold ceremonial traditions, such as the sun dance, and have participated in the ghost dance movement. Unique burial practices further distinguish them from neighboring tribes.

Cheyenne – Arapaho Indian Research

Ledger Drawing - Cheyenne Crazy Dog Society Warrior

This page serves as a resource for researching Cheyenne and Arapaho ancestry, providing access to databases, links, and historical information about these Plains tribes, which belong to the Algonquian family. It outlines notable historical figures, census records, court documents, customs, and language. The content also highlights genealogical resources and significant events, such as treaties and conflicts involving the tribes. Further reading is encouraged to understand the challenges faced during the reservation period and their cultural heritage.

Arapaho and Cheyenne in Kansas

Tribal Signs – Absaroka to Assinaboin – Sign Language

The post details various tribal signs used by the Absaroka (Crow), Apache, Coyotero, Mescalero, Arapaho, Arikara, and Assinaboin tribes, focusing on gestures that mimic natural actions, such as bird flight, or represent cultural identifiers. Each sign involves specific hand movements, often drawing from the environment or community, like shelling corn or depicting body features like tattoos. These gestures serve as vital communication tools within and between tribes, reflecting their identity and heritage.

Signals – Notes on Cheyenne and Arapaho Signals – Sign Language

The information gathered from Cheyenne and Arapaho leaders in 1880 outlines their strategies for organizing war and hunting parties. Before embarking, the groups announce their intentions, appoint pipe-bearers, and follow strict protocols to avoid jeopardizing their missions. Scouts assess the terrain for enemies and communicate danger through specific blanket signals. When encamped, they mark their direction and time spent traveling. Similar signaling techniques are employed in hunting, with methods varying depending on the presence of game. The use of mirrors for signaling is mentioned but no longer practiced.

Algonquian Sign Language among the North American Indians

The document features various contributions regarding the sign languages of North American Indian tribes. It includes letters and observations from individuals such as H.L. Masta and Lieut. H.B. Lemly, detailing signs from the Abnaki, Arapaho, Cheyenne, Ojibwa, and Sac and Fox tribes. These accounts, compiled between 1846 and the early 1880s, reflect a diverse collection of linguistic expressions used for communication within these tribes, highlighting the rich cultural tapestry of Algonquian Sign Language.

Plains Indians Use of Rawhide

Plains tribes uniquely utilized rawhide for binding and hafting, substituting it for materials like nails and twine. Prominent among their creations are parfleche bags, primarily used for storing food, which demonstrate simple yet effective construction. Various styles of rawhide bags, including rectangular and cylindrical forms, served functional purposes such as tool storage and gathering. The rich decorative traditions across tribes like the Dakota, Cheyenne, and Blackfoot highlight the cultural significance of these items, which have evolved in both use and craftsmanship over time.

Plains Indian Culture

Fig. 34. The Cheyenne Camp Circle. (Dorsey).

Museum collections often lack comprehensive representations of Plains Indian social organization, which is complex and varies among tribes. While tribes like the Crow and Blackfoot have distinct political units, they often unite culturally. Clans and gentes play significant roles in regulating marriage, predominantly favoring exogamy. The camp circle, a notable aspect of Plains culture, showcases organized living arrangements. Marriage customs prioritize sister marriages, and child-rearing practices include unique naming ceremonies. Death rituals typically involve scaffolding rather than burial, reflecting deep cultural beliefs about the afterlife.

Religion and Ceremonies of the Plains Tribes

The Plains tribes’ mythology is rich, encompassing a variety of sacred beliefs and narratives that share similarities with European legends. Prominent among these tales are deluge myths and hero narratives, often featuring supernatural beings like the Blackfoot’s Napiw. While tribes have unique beliefs, many themes overlap, revealing cultural connections. Religious concepts diverge from Western notions of a singular deity, focusing instead on a controlling power expressed through the natural world. Rituals involve personal medicine bundles, pivotal in both individual and communal ceremonies, highlighting the spiritual life of these tribes.

Industrial Arts of the Plains Tribes

Among Plains tribes, families practiced self-sufficient manufacturing with limited specialization based on gender. Each member contributed to various industrial arts, particularly in skin and textile processing. Fire-making techniques primarily involved the simple fire drill, while textiles were largely replaced by skin use. Notable basket-making skills were reported among the Shoshoni and Ute. The dressing of hides, essential for creating clothing and tools, involved labor-intensive methods. Overall, the Plains tribes demonstrated unique cultural practices in their industrial arts, reflecting both necessity and resourcefulness.

Hunting and Food of the Plains Tribes

Fig. 1. Sinew-backed Bow and Quiver from the Blackfoot and a Compound Bow of Mountain Sheep Horn from the Nez Percé.

The Plains Indians primarily relied on buffalo as their main food source, supplemented by smaller game and cultivated crops like corn. They employed various hunting methods, notably cooperative techniques using horses, which enhanced their mobility and hunting efficiency. The introduction of horses significantly transformed their culture, encouraging nomadism over agriculture. Hunting techniques included organized surrounds and impounding, which were practiced across several tribes. They also relied on bows and lances for hunting and created pemmican for preserving meat.

Physical Type of Plains Tribes

The physical characteristics of the Plains Indians reveal that they are primarily tall, with an average height ranging from 66 to 69 inches across various tribes. Most have a reddish chocolate skin tone and uniformly straight black hair. While no comprehensive studies on their anatomy exist, tribal facial features suggest notable differences among groups, influenced by intermarriage. The population in 1910 was approximately 50,208, with 70% identified as full-blooded. Overall, Plains Indians exhibit distinct traits but share similarities with other Native American groups.