Once a united and mighty native American people group, the "Sagebrush People" were a remnant divided from their brother tribe, the southern division, and eventually relegated to the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming. This land had already been given to the Shoshone, but the Northern Arapaho tribe, left without a home under the Treaty of 1868, was also moved to Wind River.
Today this federally recognized tribe is know by many as the owners and operators of Wyoming's biggest hotel and casino. The casino was opened in 2005 and is intended to provide a better life for tribal members. It offers revenues that are earmarked for medical clinics and better schools and was supposed to offer employment opportunities as well.
At least 3000 years ago, the original Arapaho were an agricultural people of southern Manitoba, Canada and upper Minnesota. They were pushed out by more aggressive tribes and became nomads, roaming the Great Plains. Research reveals that five sub-tribes developed, each with a distinctive dialect which all have Algonquian roots.
Fortunately the Arapaho were able to form an alliance with the ferocious Cheyenne, who also roamed the Plains. Both groups benefited from acquiring horses in the early 1700s. This helped them become 'lords of the Plains' and extend their territory from Kansas and Oklahoma to Montana and Colorado. The Arapaho had a complex society based on the skills of the warrior, who also gained prominence by hunting prowess. Life in camp was carefully structured and policed.
Although war was important to their way of life, the Arapaho had mostly peaceful relations with early explorers and trading post entrepreneurs. Settlers, however, were a different story. Incidents between the 'lords of the Plains' and those who saw empty homesites began to occur more frequently. Many chiefs, however, were willing to seek peace and cede some territory for perpetual title to the rest.
Unfortunately, history records much deceit and hostility on the part of American leaders, both in the military and in government. The Sand Creek Massacre, when soldiers attacked a sleeping camp of mostly women and children, is one of the bloodiest examples of this. The Treaty of 1851 granted them a wide territory, but the Treaty of 1868 forced them onto a barren piece of Wyoming.
Those interested in the history of the tribe can visit the Wind River Reservation and the Arapaho Cultural Center. There are displays of artifacts and a craft area that is open to the public. The Cultural Center is a great way to experience the traditions that have come down over the centuries. There is also a virtual museum online, with wonderful photographs and detailed descriptions of artifacts. This virtual tour can be taken at windrivervirtualmuseum.org.
People are familiar with some of the culture, since it has been part of Hollywood movies and pulp fiction, as well as being recorded in actual frontier memoirs. 'Counting coup' was a way a warrior could gain respect by touching an enemy or seizing a possession - a less drastic approach than killing. Important societies challenged warriors to excel in hunting or in battle and gave them positions of authority in the camp. War paint and regalia made the warriors fearsome to behold and granted them spiritual protection in war.
Today this federally recognized tribe is know by many as the owners and operators of Wyoming's biggest hotel and casino. The casino was opened in 2005 and is intended to provide a better life for tribal members. It offers revenues that are earmarked for medical clinics and better schools and was supposed to offer employment opportunities as well.
At least 3000 years ago, the original Arapaho were an agricultural people of southern Manitoba, Canada and upper Minnesota. They were pushed out by more aggressive tribes and became nomads, roaming the Great Plains. Research reveals that five sub-tribes developed, each with a distinctive dialect which all have Algonquian roots.
Fortunately the Arapaho were able to form an alliance with the ferocious Cheyenne, who also roamed the Plains. Both groups benefited from acquiring horses in the early 1700s. This helped them become 'lords of the Plains' and extend their territory from Kansas and Oklahoma to Montana and Colorado. The Arapaho had a complex society based on the skills of the warrior, who also gained prominence by hunting prowess. Life in camp was carefully structured and policed.
Although war was important to their way of life, the Arapaho had mostly peaceful relations with early explorers and trading post entrepreneurs. Settlers, however, were a different story. Incidents between the 'lords of the Plains' and those who saw empty homesites began to occur more frequently. Many chiefs, however, were willing to seek peace and cede some territory for perpetual title to the rest.
Unfortunately, history records much deceit and hostility on the part of American leaders, both in the military and in government. The Sand Creek Massacre, when soldiers attacked a sleeping camp of mostly women and children, is one of the bloodiest examples of this. The Treaty of 1851 granted them a wide territory, but the Treaty of 1868 forced them onto a barren piece of Wyoming.
Those interested in the history of the tribe can visit the Wind River Reservation and the Arapaho Cultural Center. There are displays of artifacts and a craft area that is open to the public. The Cultural Center is a great way to experience the traditions that have come down over the centuries. There is also a virtual museum online, with wonderful photographs and detailed descriptions of artifacts. This virtual tour can be taken at windrivervirtualmuseum.org.
People are familiar with some of the culture, since it has been part of Hollywood movies and pulp fiction, as well as being recorded in actual frontier memoirs. 'Counting coup' was a way a warrior could gain respect by touching an enemy or seizing a possession - a less drastic approach than killing. Important societies challenged warriors to excel in hunting or in battle and gave them positions of authority in the camp. War paint and regalia made the warriors fearsome to behold and granted them spiritual protection in war.
No comments:
Post a Comment