Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes
Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes are headquartered in Concho, Oklahoma. Their tribal jurisdiction spans Beckham, Blaine, Canadian, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Kingfisher, Roger Mills, and Washita Counties.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Cheyenne and Arapaho formed an alliance and have remained together as the federally recognized Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. This alliance helped them to expand territories and strengthen their presence on the plains. The Arapaho remained strong allies with the Cheyenne and helped them fight alongside the Sioux during the Red Cloud’s War and the Great Sioux War of 1876, commonly known as the Black Hills War. The Arapaho were present with the Cheyenne at the Sand Creek Massacre when a peaceful encampment of mostly women, children, and elderly were attacked and massacred by US soldiers. Both tribes experienced a major division when they were both split into northern and southern subdivisions. The Southern Cheyenne and Southern Arapaho were assigned to the same reservation in Oklahoma Indian Territory where they became federally recognized as the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribe.
Today the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribe are a thriving nation seeking to serve their tribal members. Their economic impact for their community is estimated to be $32M. They place great emphasis on their culture. The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma Culture and Heritage Program teaches hand games, powwow dancing and songs, horse care and riding, buffalo management, and Cheyenne and Arapaho language, and sponsored several running events. They also have a strong tribal government. The tribal government consists of the Tribal Council, Executive Branch, Legislative Branch, and Judicial Branch. The Tribal Council includes all tribal members over the age of 18.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheyenne_and_Arapaho_Tribes
Governor Reggie Wassana
P.O. Box 167
Concho, OK 73022
Phone: (405) 422-7734
Fax: (405) 262-6872
www.c-a-tribes.org
http://digital.library.okstate.edu/Chronicles/v020/v020p360.html
The Cheyennes and Arapahos are two distinct tribes with distinct histories. The Cheyenne (Tsitsistas/ The People) were once agrarian, or agricultural, people located near the Great Lakes in present-day Minnesota. Grinnell notes the Cheyenne language is a unique branch of the Algonquian language family and, The Nation itself, is descended from two related tribes, the Tsitsistas and the Suh’ Tai. The latter is believed to have joined the Tsitsistas in the early 18th century (1: 1-2). The Tsitsistas and the Suh’ Tai are characterized, and represented by two cultural heroes who received divine articles which shaped the time-honored belief systems of the Southern and Northern families of the Cheyenne Nation. The Suh’ Tai, represented by a man named Erect Horns, were blessed with the care of a sacred Buffalo Hat, which is kept among the Northern family. The Tsitsistas, represented by a man named Sweet Medicine, were bestowed with the care of a bundle of sacred Arrows, kept among the Southern Family. Inspired by Erect Horn‘s vision, they adopted the horse culture in the 18th century and moved westward onto the plains to follow the buffalo. The prophet Sweet Medicine organized the structure of Cheyenne society, including the Council of Forty-four peace chiefs and the warrior societies led by prominent warriors.[13][14]
The Arapaho, also Algonquian speaking, came from Saskatchewan, Montana, Wyoming, eastern Colorado, and western South Dakota in the 18th century. They adopted horse culture and became successful nomadic hunters. In 1800, the tribe began coalescing into northern and southern groups. Although the Arapaho had assisted the Cheyenne and Lakota in driving the Kiowa and Comanche south from the Northern Plains, in 1840 they made peace with both tribes. They became prosperous traders, until the expansion of American settlers onto their lands after the Civil War.[15]
Cheyennes and Arapahos Tribes are headquartered in Concho, Oklahoma. Their tribal jurisdiction spans Beckham, Blaine, Canadian, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Kingfisher, Roger Mills, and Washita Counties.
100 Red Moon Circle
Concho, OK 73022
Cheyenne language is a unique branch of the Algonquian language family and, The Nation itself, is descended from two related tribes, the Tsitsistas and the Suh’ Tai. The Arapaho are also aAlgonquian speaking, and came from Saskatchewan, Montana, Wyoming, eastern Colorado, and western South Dakota in the 18th century.
Today the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribe are a thriving nation seeking to serve their tribal members. Their economic impact for their community is estimated to be $32M. The tribe operates three tribal smoke shops and four casinos:[1] the Lucky Star Casino in Clinton, the Lucky Star Casino in Concho, the Lucky Star Casino in Watonga, and the Lucky Star Casino in Canton.[9] They also issue their own tribal vehicle tags. They place great emphasis on their culture. The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma Culture and Heritage Program teaches hand games, powwow dancing and songs, horse care and riding, buffalo management, and Cheyenne and Arapaho language, and sponsored several running events. They also have a strong tribal government. The tribal government consists of the Tribal Council, Executive Branch, Legislative Branch, and Judicial Branch. The Tribal Council includes all tribal members over the age of 18.
Governor Eddie Hamilton
P.O. Box 38
Concho, OK 73022
Phone: (405) 262-0345
Fax: (405) 262-6872
or
100 Red Moon Circle
Concho, OK 73022
