The history of the Northern Cheyenne people, like that of many Indigenous tribes, is deeply rooted in oral tradition. These narratives, passed down through generations, serve as a living repository of cultural knowledge, historical events, and spiritual beliefs. While some of this invaluable heritage has been lost to time, much remains vibrant within the community, waiting to be documented and shared. This article presents a concise Northern Cheyenne Tribe Timeline, tracing key events in the tribe’s history from its origins to the present day.
Time Immemorial: The Creation Story
The Cheyenne creation story speaks of a time before people, when water covered the Earth. Ma’heo’o, the Creator, floated on the water, surrounded by water birds. In this profound act of creation, Ma’heo’o called upon the birds to bring him some earth, marking the beginning of the land and the world as we know it. This narrative underscores the deep connection between the Cheyenne people and the natural world, a connection that has shaped their history and culture.
Traditional Life and Homelands
The earliest known Cheyenne ancestors inhabited the region around Hudson Bay and the Great Lakes. During this time, their economy was largely based on fishing, reflecting their reliance on the abundant aquatic resources of the area. This early period laid the foundation for the tribe’s adaptability and resilience, qualities that would be essential in the face of future challenges.
1600s: Migration and Agriculture
As the Cheyenne migrated southwest towards Minnesota, they underwent a significant transformation. They established permanent earth lodge villages and embraced an agricultural way of life. Cultivating crops such as corn, beans, and squash, they developed a settled existence, showcasing their resourcefulness and ability to adapt to new environments.
1680: Seeking Trade with the French
Demonstrating their proactive approach to securing resources and alliances, the Cheyenne traveled 300 miles to La Salle’s Fort, seeking to obtain guns from French traders. This early engagement with European powers marked the beginning of a complex relationship that would profoundly impact the tribe’s future.
1700: Transition to Buffalo Hunting
Moving further northwest to the Sheyenne River in North Dakota, the Cheyenne continued to cultivate their agricultural practices. However, they also began to integrate buffalo hunting into their economy, signaling a shift towards a more nomadic lifestyle that would become characteristic of Plains tribes.
1750: Embracing the Nomadic Life
The acquisition of horses marked a turning point in Cheyenne history. With the increased mobility that horses provided, they became seasonally nomadic, following the vast herds of buffalo that roamed the plains. This era saw the adoption of buffalo hide tipis as their primary dwelling, a symbol of their nomadic lifestyle and their deep connection to the buffalo.
1750-1790: Migration to the Missouri River
The Cheyenne migrated to the Missouri River country, where they encountered the So’taeo’o people. They formed friendships with the Arikaras and Mandans, establishing alliances that would be crucial for survival in the challenging environment of the Plains. They built another earth lodge village near Porcupine Creek, in present-day Fort Yates, North Dakota.
1780: Alliance and Life on the Plains
The Cheyenne moved to the game lands of the Black Hills, where they formed an alliance with the Arapaho. This period marked the true beginning of their life on the Plains as skilled hunters and followers of the buffalo. The Black Hills became a central part of their territory, imbued with spiritual significance and cultural identity.
1770-1790: Conflict with the Chippewa
The Cheyenne faced conflict with the Chippewa, culminating in the destruction of their village on the Sheyenne River. This event, recounted by a Chippewa chief to David Thompson in 1799, highlights the challenges and dangers that the Cheyenne faced as they navigated the complex political landscape of the Plains.
1819: Alliance with the Oglala
The Cheyenne united with the Oglala against the Crow, demonstrating their ability to forge strategic alliances in the face of intertribal conflicts. These alliances were essential for maintaining their territory and protecting their way of life.
1825: Friendship Treaty with the United States
The Cheyenne entered into a Friendship Treaty with the United States, a pledge of peace between the two nations. However, this treaty, like many others that followed, would be tested by the westward expansion of the United States and its policies towards Native American tribes.
1849: Cholera Epidemic
A devastating cholera epidemic swept through the Cheyenne, decimating their population and highlighting their vulnerability to diseases introduced by European settlers. This tragic event underscores the profound impact of colonization on Native American communities.
1851: First Treaty at Fort Laramie
The First Treaty at Fort Laramie brought together representatives from numerous tribes, including the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Oglala, Brule Sioux, Crow, Shoshone, Assiniboines, Gros Ventre, Mandans, Arikaras, and Minnitarees. This treaty established territories for the Cheyenne and Arapaho, spanning lands in Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas. However, the treaty also paved the way for increased encroachment on tribal lands by settlers and the destruction of the buffalo herds.
1856: Platte Bridge Incident
The Platte Bridge Incident, triggered by a false accusation of horse stealing, resulted in the death of one Cheyenne warrior, the capture of another, and the wounding of a third. This incident, involving horses belonging to Two Tails (later known as Little Wolf), exemplifies the tensions and misunderstandings that often led to violence between Native Americans and settlers.
1861: Treaty of Fort Wise
Six leaders of the Southern Cheyenne and four Arapaho bands signed the Treaty of Fort Wise, establishing a reservation in Colorado. However, many Cheyenne opposed the treaty, viewing it as a betrayal of their rights and a surrender of their ancestral lands.
1864: Sand Creek Massacre
The Sand Creek Massacre stands as one of the most horrific events in Cheyenne history. Colonel Chivington and 700 Colorado Volunteers attacked a peaceful camp of Southern Cheyennes and Arapahoes, brutally massacring 137 people, mostly women and children. The massacre sparked outrage and fueled further conflict between Native Americans and the United States.
1865: Raids and the Powder River Expedition
In response to the Sand Creek Massacre, 1,000 Cheyenne warriors struck the town of Julesburg. The ensuing raids by the Cheyenne, Sioux, and Arapaho were a direct result of the unprovoked violence inflicted upon their people. The Powder River Expedition, a $40 million dollar military campaign intended to crush the "hostile" Northern Plains tribes, proved to be a failure due to inexperience, poor equipment, and a lack of knowledge of the territory.
1865: Treaty at the Little Arkansas River
A new treaty with the Southern Cheyenne and Southern Arapaho, made at the Little Arkansas River, established a reservation spanning the borders of Kansas and Oklahoma. Article 6 of the treaty acknowledged the grievous violence committed at Sand Creek and attempted to provide reparations for the atrocities.
1868: Fort Laramie Treaty and Unceded Indian Territory
The Fort Laramie Treaty established the Great Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, including the sacred Black Hills. Article 16 designated the land north of the North Platte River and east of the Big Horn Mountains as "unceded Indian territory," stipulating that no white person should settle or occupy it. This "unceded Indian territory" was occupied by the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. However, the treaty also included provisions for "undisturbed travel" for settlers and the "withdrawal of opposition to the construction of railroads," further undermining Native American sovereignty.
1875: Gold in the Black Hills and Off-Reservation Orders
The discovery of gold in the Black Hills led to an attempt to purchase the land and mineral rights from the tribes. However, the tribes refused to sell, recognizing the sacred and intrinsic value of the land. Indian agents were directed to order off-reservation Indians to report to their agencies, including many Northern Cheyenne Tribe members. When few complied, the matter was turned over to the military, setting the stage for violent conflict.
1876: Battle of the Rosebud and Battle of the Little Big Horn
The Battle of the Rosebud, where the Cheyenne warrior Comes in Sight was saved by his sister, Buffalo Calf Road Woman, marked a significant victory for the Cheyenne and their allies. Nine days later, the Battle of the Little Big Horn resulted in the defeat of General Custer and his men, a pivotal moment in the history of the Indian Wars.
1876-1879: Forced Removal and the Fort Robinson Outbreak
Following the Battle of the Little Big Horn, the Cheyenne were relentlessly pursued by the cavalry. Many were forced to move to forts and agencies. In 1877, 972 Cheyenne were moved from Red Cloud’s Agency south to Oklahoma, where they suffered from poor conditions and disease. In 1878, Northern Cheyenne leaders Morning Star, Little Wolf, Wild Hog, and Old Crow made the difficult decision to lead their people north. The group split into two bands, with Morning Star’s band eventually being captured and imprisoned at Fort Robinson in Nebraska. In 1879, the Fort Robinson Outbreak occurred, resulting in the deaths of 61 Cheyenne who were desperately trying to escape their captivity.
1880-1884: Settlement on the Tongue River and the Creation of the Reservation
Due to overcrowding at Fort Keogh, Colonel Nelson Miles allowed Cheyenne families to settle along the Tongue River and encouraged them to homestead their lands. In 1882, Cheyenne families moved south to the Rosebud and Muddy Creeks, building houses and planting crops. In 1884, an Executive Order officially created the Northern Cheyenne Tribe Reservation in southeast Montana on the Tongue River.
1884-1936: Suppression, Allotment, and Reorganization
The late 19th and early 20th centuries were marked by the suppression of Cheyenne culture and traditions, including the Sun Dance. Boarding schools were established, and tribal lands were allotted to individual members. In 1936, the Northern Cheyenne approved a tribal constitution under the Indian Reorganization Act, marking a step towards self-governance.
1950-1980: Claims Settlement, Coal Leases, and Tribal Sovereignty
In 1963, the Northern Cheyenne received a $4,200,000 settlement in the Court of Claims for lands taken in violation of the 1851 and 1868 Fort Laramie Treaties. However, the tribe faced new challenges in the form of coal development. In the 1960s and 1970s, the Northern Cheyenne Tribe grappled with the issue of coal leases on their reservation. The tribal council eventually voted to cancel the permits and leases, asserting their sovereignty and protecting their land and environment. In 1976, the Supreme Court case Northern Cheyenne Tribe v. Hollowbreast et al. affirmed the tribe’s mineral rights. In 1979, Chief Dull Knife College was established at Lame Deer, Montana, providing educational opportunities for tribal members.
1990-Present: Repatriation and Preservation
In 1993, the Northern Cheyenne Tribe repatriated the remains of 26 ancestors, including those killed in the Fort Robinson Massacre. In 2000, President Clinton signed the Sand Creek National Historic Site Establishment Act. In 2008, the tribe successfully petitioned to have the Rosebud Battlefield site and the Wolf Mountain Battle site listed as National Historic Landmarks.
This timeline provides a glimpse into the rich and complex history of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. Their story is one of resilience, adaptation, and unwavering determination to preserve their culture and sovereignty in the face of immense challenges. The legacy of the Northern Cheyenne continues to inspire and inform, reminding us of the importance of honoring the past and protecting the future.