The 'Sagebrush People' have a dramatic history. The Northern Arapaho tribe is a division of a once mighty people group; there is also a southern remnant. Today the northern branch lives on the Wind River Indian Reservation, originally given to the Shoshones but the designated refuge for the Arapaho since the Treaty of 1868.
Today the tribe is a federally recognized, independent people with its own government. The Arapaho won the right to operate gaming establishments on the reservation and now operate Wyoming's largest hotel and casino, the Wind River Casino that opened in 2005. The revenues from this casino are supposed to improve the lot of tribal members with better education and health services, as well as employment opportunities.
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.
They were willing to trade peacefully with early European and American explorers and trading post entrepreneurs, but went on the warpath when settlers began to cross their lands. As a fierce warrior people, they struck terror into the hearts of many a pioneer. However, some of their strongest chiefs were willing to seek peace with the invaders.
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.
The Wind River Reservation has tourist sites of interest to those who would learn more about the Arapaho. There is the Cultural Center, where artifacts are displayed and major moments in history depicted. Visitors can see and engage in crafts in the craft area, which seeks to preserve ancient arts and skills. A virtual museum with much information and colorful photographs of artifacts can be accessed at windrivervirtualmuseum.org.
Much of the tribal culture is familiar, since it was romantic and colorful enough to enter into folklore and be recorded in Hollywood movies and pulp fiction. 'Counting coup', the act of touching an enemy or seizing a possession, gained a warrior respect. Powerful societies within the tribe gave members standing and authority. Hunting was a prized skill, feeding the people and providing materials for everything from clothing to tipi decorations. War paint made both horse and rider fearsome to see and granted spiritual protection in battle.
Today the tribe is a federally recognized, independent people with its own government. The Arapaho won the right to operate gaming establishments on the reservation and now operate Wyoming's largest hotel and casino, the Wind River Casino that opened in 2005. The revenues from this casino are supposed to improve the lot of tribal members with better education and health services, as well as employment opportunities.
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.
They were willing to trade peacefully with early European and American explorers and trading post entrepreneurs, but went on the warpath when settlers began to cross their lands. As a fierce warrior people, they struck terror into the hearts of many a pioneer. However, some of their strongest chiefs were willing to seek peace with the invaders.
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.
The Wind River Reservation has tourist sites of interest to those who would learn more about the Arapaho. There is the Cultural Center, where artifacts are displayed and major moments in history depicted. Visitors can see and engage in crafts in the craft area, which seeks to preserve ancient arts and skills. A virtual museum with much information and colorful photographs of artifacts can be accessed at windrivervirtualmuseum.org.
Much of the tribal culture is familiar, since it was romantic and colorful enough to enter into folklore and be recorded in Hollywood movies and pulp fiction. 'Counting coup', the act of touching an enemy or seizing a possession, gained a warrior respect. Powerful societies within the tribe gave members standing and authority. Hunting was a prized skill, feeding the people and providing materials for everything from clothing to tipi decorations. War paint made both horse and rider fearsome to see and granted spiritual protection in battle.
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