The Cheyenne, also spelled Chayenne, people, a prominent and influential Native American tribe of the Great Plains, have a complex and often fraught history with the United States government. A significant part of this history is defined by a series of treaties negotiated and signed between the Cheyenne and the U.S., each aimed at establishing peace, defining territorial boundaries, and regulating interactions. These Cheyenne Treaties, however, often became sources of conflict and misunderstanding, ultimately leading to displacement, hardship, and the erosion of the Cheyenne way of life. This article aims to provide an informative overview of these treaties, outlining their context, key provisions, and lasting impact on the Cheyenne people.
Early Encounters and the Treaty of 1825
The initial documented formal interaction between the United States and the Cheyenne occurred in 1825 with the "Treaty With The Cheyenne Tribe, 1825." This treaty, signed at the mouth of the Teton River, was primarily a treaty of friendship and commerce. It sought to establish peaceful relations between the Cheyenne and the U.S., allowing American citizens to trade and travel within Cheyenne territories without fear of molestation. For the United States, it was a crucial step in securing access to the fur trade and expanding its influence in the West. For the Cheyenne, it represented an initial attempt to coexist with the burgeoning power of the United States. However, the treaty made no explicit mention of land cession or boundary definition, and its effectiveness in preventing future conflicts was limited. The vast and relatively unexplored territories of the West fostered competition and misunderstanding, even with the establishment of nominal peace.
The Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851
A more comprehensive agreement was reached in 1851 with the "Treaty Of Fort Laramie With Sioux, Etc., 1851." This treaty was a landmark agreement designed to establish peace among several Plains tribes, including the Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Crow, Assiniboine, Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara. The U.S. government, seeking to facilitate westward expansion and protect settlers traveling along the Oregon Trail, convened the treaty council at Fort Laramie.
Under the terms of the treaty, each tribe was assigned specific territories, and in return for recognizing these boundaries and agreeing to maintain peace, the U.S. government promised to provide annual annuities in the form of goods and provisions. The Cheyenne and Arapaho were allocated a vast territory spanning parts of present-day Colorado, Wyoming, and Kansas. This treaty was significant because it formally recognized Cheyenne land claims and established a framework for peaceful coexistence.
However, the Fort Laramie Treaty quickly proved difficult to enforce. The influx of settlers, miners, and railroad workers into Cheyenne territory led to increasing conflicts over resources and land. The U.S. government struggled to control the actions of its citizens, and the promised annuities were often late, insufficient, or of poor quality, leading to resentment and distrust among the Cheyenne.
The Treaty of Fort Wise (1861)
The discovery of gold in Colorado in 1858 triggered a massive influx of settlers, further straining relations between the Cheyenne and the U.S. government. In an attempt to address these growing tensions, the "Treaty With The Arapaho And Cheyenne, 1861," also known as the Treaty of Fort Wise, was negotiated.
This treaty, signed at Fort Wise (later renamed Fort Lyon), significantly reduced the territory allocated to the Cheyenne and Arapaho in the 1851 treaty. The tribes were pressured to cede the majority of their lands in exchange for a much smaller reservation located in southeastern Colorado. This treaty was highly controversial, as many Cheyenne chiefs did not agree to its terms, and those who did were often accused of being coerced or bribed.
The Treaty of Fort Wise is widely considered to be a major catalyst for the outbreak of the Colorado War in 1864. Many Cheyenne, particularly those led by chiefs such as Black Kettle, vehemently opposed the treaty and refused to abide by its provisions. The Sand Creek Massacre, in which U.S. soldiers attacked and massacred a peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho village, further inflamed tensions and solidified Cheyenne resistance.
The Treaties of 1865: Little Arkansas and Fort Laramie
Following the Sand Creek Massacre and the ensuing Colorado War, the U.S. government sought to restore peace through two new treaties in 1865: "Treaty With The Apache, Cheyenne, And Arapaho, 1865" (Little Arkansas Treaty) and "Treaty With The Cheyenne And Arapaho, 1865" (another treaty signed at Fort Laramie). These treaties aimed to reaffirm peace, establish new reservation boundaries, and provide compensation for the losses suffered during the war.
The Little Arkansas Treaty, signed with the Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho, created a new reservation in present-day Oklahoma. The Fort Laramie Treaty, signed with the Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho, established a reservation in the Powder River Country of Wyoming and Montana.
However, these treaties were met with mixed reactions. Some Cheyenne leaders, weary of war and seeking to protect their people, reluctantly agreed to their terms. Others, deeply distrustful of the U.S. government, refused to recognize the treaties and continued to resist westward expansion.
The Treaty of Medicine Lodge (1867)
In 1867, the "Treaty With The Cheyenne And Arapaho, 1867," also known as the Treaty of Medicine Lodge, was negotiated with the Southern Cheyenne, Kiowa, Comanche, and Arapaho tribes. This treaty aimed to consolidate the Southern Plains tribes onto a single reservation in Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma).
The Treaty of Medicine Lodge proved to be another source of conflict and dissatisfaction. The reservation was located in a region with poor soil and limited resources, making it difficult for the tribes to sustain themselves. Furthermore, the U.S. government failed to adequately provide the promised supplies and provisions, leading to starvation and hardship.
The Treaty of Fort Laramie (1868)
The "Treaty With The Northern Cheyenne And Northern Arapaho, 1868," also known as the Second Treaty of Fort Laramie, was negotiated primarily with the Sioux, but also included provisions for the Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho. This treaty aimed to resolve ongoing conflicts in the Powder River Country and establish a large reservation for the Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho in present-day South Dakota.
While the treaty initially brought a period of relative peace, it was short-lived. The discovery of gold in the Black Hills, a region considered sacred by the Sioux, led to a massive influx of miners and settlers, violating the terms of the treaty and sparking renewed conflict. The Great Sioux War of 1876, which included the Battle of Little Bighorn, marked a turning point in the relationship between the U.S. government and the Plains tribes.
Legacy of the Cheyenne Treaties
The Cheyenne Treaties represent a complex and often tragic chapter in the history of the American West. While these agreements were initially intended to establish peace and define territorial boundaries, they ultimately failed to protect the Cheyenne people from the encroachment of settlers, the loss of their lands, and the erosion of their culture.
The treaties were often poorly negotiated, inadequately enforced, and violated by both sides. The U.S. government frequently failed to uphold its promises, while the Cheyenne, faced with increasing pressure and hardship, sometimes resorted to violence in defense of their lands and way of life.
The legacy of the Cheyenne Treaties continues to resonate today. The Cheyenne people remain committed to preserving their culture, language, and traditions, and they continue to advocate for their rights and sovereignty. The treaties serve as a reminder of the importance of honoring agreements, respecting indigenous rights, and acknowledging the historical injustices that have shaped the relationship between Native Americans and the United States. The Cheyenne Treaties provide valuable lessons about the complexities of cross-cultural negotiation, the dangers of unchecked expansionism, and the enduring need for reconciliation and justice. The study of these treaties remains crucial for understanding the history of the American West and the ongoing struggle for Native American rights.