The Arapaho Tribe originated in Minnesota before splitting into two groups and settling in Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Kansas. They lived in tipis and were dependent on buffalo. They were allied with the Cheyenne and had battles with the Ute, Shoshone, and Pawnee. They were forced onto reservations in Oklahoma and Wyoming.
The Arapaho Tribe is a group of Western Plains Native Americans. Historically, they lived mainly in parts of the US states of Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and Kansas. Most scholars think they originated in Minnesota before the 1700s, but there is very little data available about that time period. Shortly after arriving on the plains, they split into two separate tribes: one group lived north near the mountains around the head of the Platte River, while the other group generally lived south near the Arkansas River. The tribe’s language is descended from Algonquin and they are known for their historical ties to the Cheyenne Indians.
Before arriving on the plains, many historians think the Arapaho grew crops and led a sedentary lifestyle. Once they moved west they became very dependent on buffalo for all their needs. In order to facilitate the constant pursuit of buffalo herds, the Arapaho tribe lived in tent-like dwellings called tipis, built with wooden posts and buffalo hides. The women of the tribe were the owners of the tipis, and were primarily responsible for carrying them, pulling the poles used in their construction behind them as they traveled.
Individual members of the Arapaho tribe are born into a band. Generally they would have stayed with that band for the rest of their lives, but switching bands was allowed and happened from time to time. There was a traditional festival every summer called the sun dance, and all the bands would get together to celebrate. The ritual was a sacred time for the tribe and took place just before the summer buffalo hunt.
In historical times, the Arapaho tribe was allied with the Cheyenne and had many battles with the Ute, Shoshone and Pawnee. As Europeans expanded westward, the Arapaho generally did what they could to maintain peaceful relations, but, eventually, the expansion forced them away from important hunting lands. This led to tension and eventually violence.
According to reports at the time, a peaceful group of Arapaho and Cheyenne camped near Sand Creek in southeastern Colorado in 1864. They were allegedly attacked by Colorado militia and massacred. This led to open fighting for two years before both sides signed treaties. The Arapahos were also involved in the “Red Cloud War” alongside the Cheyennes, and this eventually culminated in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, in which the Arapahos participated.
Eventually, the Arapaho tribe settled on various reservations. The Southern Arapaho Tribe was placed on a reservation in Oklahoma, which it shared with the Cheyenne, and the Northern Arapaho Tribe was placed on a reservation in Wyoming along with their enemies, the Shoshone. Both of these reserves still exist.
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