Cheyenne People
The Cheyenne are an Indigenous people of the Great Plains. This group is divided into two Native American tribes: the Sutaio and the Tsitsistas. Historically, the Cheyenne are known for their rich cultural heritage and their significant role in the history of the American Midwest.
Historical Background
The Cheyenne originally lived in what is now Minnesota and were known to have early interactions with European settlers in the 16th century. They moved westward across the Missouri River into North Dakota and South Dakota, eventually adopting the horse culture and becoming nomadic buffalo hunters. By the early 18th century, they established themselves in the Black Hills of South Dakota and the Powder River Country of present-day Montana and Wyoming.
Cultural Relations and Alliances
The Cheyenne were close allies of the Arapaho and loosely aligned with the Lakota, sharing cultural and economic practices. Around 1730, they introduced horses to the Lakota, which significantly impacted the social structure and mobility of both tribes.
Modern-Day Cheyenne
Today, the Cheyenne are primarily divided into the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in Montana and the Southern Cheyenne who, along with the Southern Arapaho, form the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes in western Oklahoma.
Language
The Cheyenne language is part of the Algonquian language family, and while it is considered endangered, efforts are in place to preserve and revitalize it among the younger generation of Cheyenne.
Etymology
The name "Cheyenne" derives from the Lakota Sioux exonym "Šahíyena" meaning "little Šahíya." There is some debate around the identity of the Šahíya, but it is traditionally thought to refer to the Cree or a group speaking a related Algonquian language.
Geography and Influence
The Cheyenne have left an indelible mark on various geographical features across the United States. For example, the town of Cheyenne, Wyoming was named after the Cheyenne people. Additionally, Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado and the Cheyenne River in South Dakota are testaments to their historical presence in these areas.