A division of a once strong Native American people whose name means the "Sagebrush People' lives on the Wind River Indian Reservation of Wyoming. This land was originally relegated to the Shoshone tribe, but the Treaty of 1868 left the Northern Arapaho tribe homeless, and they were moved to Wind River.
This federally recognized tribe is its own nation, with its own independent government. Since 2005, the little country has operated Wyoming's largest hotel, joined to a high stakes casino. The Wind River Casino provides revenues and employment opportunities to tribal members. The tribal council hopes that life will improve, with better jobs, education, and medical care.
The colorful history of these natives began at least 3000 years ago in Minnesota and Manitoba, Canada. An agricultural society, they were gradually pushed to the northern Great Plains by invading tribes and became a nomadic people. Scholars think that five main sub-tribes developed, each with its own dialect of the original Algonquian language.
The tribes formed alliances with the Cheyenne, who also roamed the Plains. Both were able to greatly extend their range after they got horses in the early 1700s. The Arapaho roamed over parts of Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Their culture was based on prowess in warfare and hunting. Their society was a complex one, with a carefully structured camp and spiritual life.
The Arapaho were mostly peaceful toward early traders and explorers, coming to the trading posts and sharing their knowledge of the terrain. However, they resented settlers either stopping on or crossing their land. The fierce warriors struck terror in the hearts of the pioneers, who banded together for safety as they headed further west. Several influential chiefs saw the wisdom of seeking peace with the invaders, however.
Of course, most are familiar with the sad story of how understandings were broken again and again, mostly by rapacious settlers and government officials. Although the Treaty of 1851 granted the Native Americans a wide swath of land covering part of at least four states, the Treaty of 1868 left the Arapaho homeless. The Sand Creek Massacre, when army soldiers attacked a sleeping camp of mostly women and children, was an example of how the natives were treated.
Visitors who want to get up close and personal with history can visit the Wind River Reservation and the Arapaho Cultural Center. This storehouse of artifacts and treasury of traditional handicrafts is located in a former mission. Visitors can see and even engage in the traditional arts. A virtual museum found online at windrivervirtualmuseum.org has great photographs of artifacts and explanations of their use and/or significance.
Many of the more romantic aspects of this heritage are familiar from western movies and books. 'Counting coup' helped a warrior gain respect; various societies within the tribe kept order and protected the people; hunting fed the people and provided everything from tipi decorations to clothing; the tribes had sacred pipes and sacred lances for ceremonial purposes; war paint helped prepare both warriors and their horses for battle.
This federally recognized tribe is its own nation, with its own independent government. Since 2005, the little country has operated Wyoming's largest hotel, joined to a high stakes casino. The Wind River Casino provides revenues and employment opportunities to tribal members. The tribal council hopes that life will improve, with better jobs, education, and medical care.
The colorful history of these natives began at least 3000 years ago in Minnesota and Manitoba, Canada. An agricultural society, they were gradually pushed to the northern Great Plains by invading tribes and became a nomadic people. Scholars think that five main sub-tribes developed, each with its own dialect of the original Algonquian language.
The tribes formed alliances with the Cheyenne, who also roamed the Plains. Both were able to greatly extend their range after they got horses in the early 1700s. The Arapaho roamed over parts of Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Their culture was based on prowess in warfare and hunting. Their society was a complex one, with a carefully structured camp and spiritual life.
The Arapaho were mostly peaceful toward early traders and explorers, coming to the trading posts and sharing their knowledge of the terrain. However, they resented settlers either stopping on or crossing their land. The fierce warriors struck terror in the hearts of the pioneers, who banded together for safety as they headed further west. Several influential chiefs saw the wisdom of seeking peace with the invaders, however.
Of course, most are familiar with the sad story of how understandings were broken again and again, mostly by rapacious settlers and government officials. Although the Treaty of 1851 granted the Native Americans a wide swath of land covering part of at least four states, the Treaty of 1868 left the Arapaho homeless. The Sand Creek Massacre, when army soldiers attacked a sleeping camp of mostly women and children, was an example of how the natives were treated.
Visitors who want to get up close and personal with history can visit the Wind River Reservation and the Arapaho Cultural Center. This storehouse of artifacts and treasury of traditional handicrafts is located in a former mission. Visitors can see and even engage in the traditional arts. A virtual museum found online at windrivervirtualmuseum.org has great photographs of artifacts and explanations of their use and/or significance.
Many of the more romantic aspects of this heritage are familiar from western movies and books. 'Counting coup' helped a warrior gain respect; various societies within the tribe kept order and protected the people; hunting fed the people and provided everything from tipi decorations to clothing; the tribes had sacred pipes and sacred lances for ceremonial purposes; war paint helped prepare both warriors and their horses for battle.
About the Author:
You can visit www.arapaholegend.com for more helpful information about Learn About The Northern Arapaho Tribe.
No comments:
Post a Comment