Cheyenne leadership

[Dietmar]

As our member Clarence suggested, it would be interesting to list all leaders of the Cheyenne and their particular bands. As a starting point I made a list of the Northern Cheyenne chiefs chosen in 1874 according to Father Peter Powell:


44 Northern Chiefs (chosen separately from the Southern Cheyenne):
Sweet Medicine Chief: Little Wolf
Old Man Chiefs: Morning Star, Old Bear, Black Moccasin (aka Limber Lance)

Chief of Omisis: Morning Star (aka Dull Knife), Young Spotted Wolf, White Head (aka Gray Head), Old Bear
Chief of Northern Suhtai: Box Elder, Little Wolf, Black Wolf, American Horse
Chief of Northern Scabby: Black Eagle
Chief of Rough Neck People: Turkey Leg

other chiefs were: Black Moccasin (aka Limber Lance), Black Moccasin (aka Iron), Old Wolf, Bald Bear, White Dirt (aka White Powder/Clay), Medicine Wolf, Twin, Standing Elk, Spotted Elk, Living Bear, Black Bear, Medicine Bear, Black Crane, Crazy Head, Magpie Eagle, Plum Man, Strong Wolf (Big Wolf), Cut Foot, Old Crow, Little Chief, …

Men´s societies:
Chief of Bowstring Society: Eagle Head (aka Minimic), Pawnee, Medicine Water
Chief of Kit Fox Society: ?
Chief of Dog Men Society: Tall Bull, White Horse, Bull Bear, Tangle Hair
Chief of Southern Elkhorn Scrapers: Big Crow
Chief of Northern Elkhorn Scrapers: Little Wolf, Lame White Man, Wild Hog

It could be that this list has to be updated. Let´s try...

[clarence]

Good morning everybody! I tried to sum up all that I understood about the Council of the 44 structure and members.
I put in brackets years of death or removal from office and in italic questions I still don't know the answers.
I hope the precious experts cooperating on this blog can fill my many doubts and blank spaces!

Greetings Clarence

CHIEFS' COUNCIL OF THE 44
Ten-yearly renewal ceremony in late Autumn
• Sweet Medicine chief, the ceremonial presiding leader in the Council
• 4 Old Man Chiefs
• 40 Chiefs, 4 from each of the 10 principal bands (manaho)
Original Sacred Bands:
- Wu'tapiu (Eaters)
- Hisiometa'nio (Ridge Men)
- Oi'vimana (Scabby People)
- Suh'tai (People Left Behind)
- Hevhaita'nio (Hair Rope)
- Heviqs'ni'pahis (Aorta People)
- Masikota (Flexed Legs People)
- Oqtóguna (Bare-legged)
- Hownowa (Poor People)
- O'mi'sis (Eaters)

1824:
• Sweet Medicine chief: Little Moon (1824-1825, band?)¹, High Back Wolf I (1825-†1833, Southern Suh'tai)¹,
• 4 Old Man Chiefs: Little Moon (band?)¹, High Back Wolf I (1825-†1833, Southern Suh'tai)¹, (? ?)
• 40 Chiefs:
- Wu'tapiu (Eaters)
- Hisiometa'nio (Ridge Men)
- Oi'vimana (Scabby People)
- Suh'tai (People Left Behind): High Back Wolf I (1824-1825)¹
- Hevhaita'nio (Hair Rope)
- Heviqs'ni'pahis (Aorta People)
- Masikota (Flexed Legs People)
- Oqtóguna (Bare-legged)
- Hownowa (Poor People)
- O'mi'sis (Eaters)
Alleged chiefs: Buffalo Head (band?)¹, One Who Walks Against The Others (band?)¹,
¹1825, July 6: signatories of the Atkinson-O’Fallon Treaty.

1834:
• Sweet Medicine chief: High Back Wolf II (Northern Suh'tai)
• 4 Old Man Chiefs: High Back Wolf II (Northern Suh'tai), (? ? ?)
• 40 Chiefs:
- Wu'tapiu (Eaters)
- Hisiometa'nio (Ridge Men)
- Oi'vimana (Scabby People)
- Suh'tai (People Left Behind)
- Hevhaita'nio (Hair Rope)
- Heviqs'ni'pahis (Aorta People)
- Masikota (Flexed Legs People)
- Oqtóguna (Bare-legged)
- Hownowa (Poor People)
- O'mi'sis (Eaters)
Alleged chiefs: Walking Whirlwind aka Medicine Snake (†1837, Hevhaita'nio)¹, Flying Arrow (band?)¹, White Crow (band?)¹.
¹1835, Col. Henry Dodge Expedition: headmen selected as chiefs for each of the three bands that sat in council.

1830’s: Gradual separation into Northern and Southern groups.

1844:
• Sweet Medicine chief: High Back Wolf II (Northern Suh'tai)
• 4 Old Man Chiefs: High Back Wolf II (Northern Suh'tai), (? ? ?)
• 40 Chiefs:
- Wu'tapiu (Eaters)
- Hisiometa'nio (Ridge Men)
- Oi'vimana (Scabby People)
  Southern:
  Northern:
- Suh'tai (People Left Behind)
  Southern:
  Northern:
- Hevhaita'nio (Hair Rope)
- Heviqs'ni'pahis (Aorta People)
- Masikota (Flexed Legs People): Buffalo Chief
- Oqtóguna (Bare-legged)
- Hownowa (Poor People)
- O'mi'sis (Eaters)
Alleged chiefs: Alights On The Cloud aka High Toe (†1852, band?)², Little Chief aka Red Skin (band?)^2,3, White Antelope (Hisiometa'nio)^2,3, Old Tobacco aka Cinemo (band?), Lean Face aka Slim Face (band?), Bear Feather aka Old Bark (Wu'tapiu)^1,3, Stone Forehead aka Medicine Arrow (Heviqs'ni'pahis)^1,3, White Crow (band?)¹, White Cow (band?)^1,3, Black Shin aka Black Leg (Southern Suh'tai)³,
¹1851, September 17: signatories of the Fort Laramie/Horse Creek Treaty.
²1851/1852: members of the delegation to Washington.
³1853, August 31: signatories of the amendment to the Horse Creek Treaty at Ft. St. Vrain on the South Platte.

Summer of 1849: cholera epidemic that almost wiped out Masikota (assimilated by the Ho'tami'ta'niu), Oqtóguna (replaced in the Council?) and Hownowa (replaced in the Council?) bands and caused heavy losses to Hevhaita'nio.

1854:
• Sweet Medicine chief: High Back Wolf II (Northern Suh'tai)
• 4 Old Man Chiefs: High Back Wolf II (Northern Suh'tai), (? ? ?)
• 40 Chiefs:
- Wu'tapiu (Eaters): Black Kettle¹
- Hisiometa'nio (Ridge Men): Lean Bear (1854-†1864)^1,2, Lone Bear aka One Eye, White Antelope¹,
- Oi'vimana (Scabby People)
  Southern: War Bonnet²,
  Northern:
- Suh'tai (People Left Behind)
  Southern: Black Shin, Bull Chip
  Northern: Box Elder
- Hevhaita'nio (Hair Rope): Big Man (†1864), Yellow Wolf (†1864)
- Heviqs'ni'pahis (Aorta People): Stone Forehead aka Medicine Arrow
- Ho'tami'ta'niu (Dog Soldiers, first time allowed to sit as a Sacred Band): Buffalo Chief (Masikota), Long Chin, Tall Bull, White Horse
- Oqtóguna (Bare-legged)
- Hownowa (Poor People): Big Head aka Curly Hair
- O'mi'sis (Eaters): Brave Wolf (†1863), Dull Knife aka Morning Star, White Head aka Gray Head, Old Spotted Wolf aka Whistling Elk
Alleged chiefs: Bear Feather aka Old Bark (Wu'tapiu), Lean Face aka Slim Face (band?), Bear Man (Hevhaita'nio), Feather Bear (band?), Grey Wolf (band?), Little Chief aka Red Skin (†1858, band?), Spotted Crow (band?), Little Wolf (band?)¹,
¹1861, February 18: signatories of the Fort Wise Treaty.
²1863, March: Southern Plains delegates who met President Lincoln in Washington.

1864 (Solomon River, likely a Southern Cheyenne ceremony only since most sources mention no northern bands in the Central Plains at the time):
• Sweet Medicine chief: (?)
• 4 Old Man Chiefs: Yellow Wolf (Hevhaita'nio, †1864)², White Antelope (Hisiometa'nio, †1864)^1,2, (? ?)
• 40 Chiefs:
- Wu'tapiu (Eaters): Black Kettle (†1868)^1,3,4, Little Rock (1864-†1868)⁴
- Hisiometa'nio (Ridge Men): Lone Bear aka One Eye (†1864)², White Antelope (†1864)^1,2, Old Little Wolf aka Big Jake
- Oi'vimana (Scabby People)
  Southern: War Bonnet (†1864)²,
  Northern:
- Suh'tai (People Left Behind)
  Southern: Black Shin (†1867), Bull Chip
- Hevhaita'nio (Hair Rope): Big Man (†1864)², Yellow Wolf (†1864)², Bear Man (†1864)², Little Bear⁴, Whirlwind⁴,
- Heviqs'ni'pahis (Aorta People): Stone Forehead aka Medicine Arrow, Sand Hill,
- Ho'tami'ta'niu: Little Robe^3,4, Tall Bull (1869)⁴, White Horse⁴, Bull Bear^1,4,
- Oqtóguna (Bare-legged): Bull Ribs
- Hownowa (Poor People): Big Head aka Curly Hair (†1869)⁴,
Alleged chiefs: Lean Face aka Slim Face (†1869, band?)⁴, Crow Chief (†1867, band?), Feather Bear (band?), Grey Wolf (band?), Bear Robe (†1864, band?)², Spotted Crow (†1864, band?)², Red Moon (Wu'tapiu), White Shield (Wu'tapiu), Grey Beard (Southern Suh'tai), Wolf Chief (Hevhaita'nio), Two Crows (Ho'tami'ta'niu), Tangle Hair (Ho'tami'ta'niu, after 1865, when Little Robe went south), Bear Tongue (band?), Stone Calf (band?), Black White Man (band?)³, Seven Bulls (band?)³, Buffalo Chief aka Buffalo Head (Masikota)⁴, Spotted Elk (band?)⁴, Man In The Water (band?), Lame White Man (band?).
¹1864, September 29: Camp Weld Conference participants.
³1865, October 14: signatories of the Treaty of Little Arkansas.
⁴1867, October 28: signatories of the Medicine Lodge Treaty.

²1864, November 29: Sand Creek Massacre: death of eight Council Chiefs and heavy losses for Wu'tapiu, Hisiometa'nio, Southern Oi'vimana and Hevhaita'nio bands.

1869, Summer (Sun Dance and Northern Cheyenne Chiefs’ Renewal Ceremony on the Ghost Creek of the Cheyenne River, near present Sheridan, Wyoming):
• Sweet Medicine chief: Black Horse (?, band?, †1866)², Little Wolf (Northern Suh'tai)^1,3
• 4 Old Man Chiefs: Black Horse (?, band?, †1866)², Little Wolf (Northern Suh'tai)^1,3, Dull Knife aka Morning Star (O'mi'sis)^1,2,3, Old Bear (O'mi'sis)¹, White Head aka Gray Head (O'mi'sis)^1,2
• 40 Chiefs:
- Oi'vimana (Scabby People)
  Northern: Black Eagle
- Suh'tai (People Left Behind)
  Northern: Box Elder
- O'mi'sis (Eaters): White Head aka Gray Head^1,2, Old Spotted Wolf aka Whistling Elk¹
- Anskowinis (Narrow Nose): Turkey Legs, Broken Dish aka Calfskin Shirt,
Alleged chiefs: Black Moccasin aka Limber Lance (Northern Suh'tai?), Dirty Moccasin aka Black Moccasin aka Iron (band?), Painted Thunder (band?), Old Wolf (band?), High Back Wolf II (†1865, Northern Suh'tai), Wolf That Lies Down (band?)², Jumping Rabbit (band?)², Little Moon (band?)², Crazy Head (O'mi'sis), Young Spotted Wolf (O'mi'sis), Red Arm aka Red Armed Panther aka Red Sleeve (band?)², Cut Nose (O'mi'sis), Flake Foot (band?)¹, Double Head (band?)¹, White Clay aka White Dirt aka Powder (band?)¹, Spotted Elk (band?)¹, Bear Wolf (band?)¹, Tall White Man (band?)¹, Strong Wolf aka Big Wolf (band?)³, Short Hair (northern band?)³, Bald Bear (band?), Cut Foot (band?).
¹1865, Fall: Big Ribs’ peace mission to Northern Cheyenne camps.
²1866, July 16: chiefs’ council with Colonel Henry Carrington at Ft. Phil Kearny.
³1868, May 10: signatories of the Fort Laramie Treaty.

1869, July 11 - Summit Springs Battle almost annihilated Ho'tami'ta'niu as an independent band.

1874 (according to P. J. Powell first time two different Renewing of the Chiefs ceremonies were officially held by Northern and Southern Cheyennes): did each group have their own Sweet Medicine Chief, 10 Sacred Bands and Council of the 44 Chiefs?

Southern Cheyenne:
• Sweet Medicine chief: Little Wolf (1879, Northern Suh'tai, ?)
• 4 Old Man Chiefs: Little Wolf (1879, Northern Suh'tai, ?), (? ? ?)
• 40 Chiefs:
- Wu'tapiu (Eaters): White Shield¹
- Hisiometa'nio (Ridge Men)
- Southern Oi'vimana (Scabby People)
- Southern Suh'tai (People Left Behind)
- Hevhaita'nio (Hair Rope): Little Bear¹, Whirlwind,
- Heviqs'ni'pahis (Aorta People): Sand Hill, Stone Forehead aka Medicine Arrow (†1876)
- Ho'tami'ta'niu (Dog Soldiers): Little Robe, White Horse, Bull Bear
- Oqtóguna (Bare-legged)
- Hownowa (Poor People)
Alleged chiefs: Red Moon (Wu'tapiu), Grey Beard (Southern Suh'tai), Wolf Chief (Hevhaita'nio), Stone Calf (band?), Magpie aka Magpie Eagle (Northern Cheyenne?), Big Horse (band?), Bobtail (band?), Little Chief aka Magpie Eagle Feathers (band?)¹, Man On A Cloud (band?), Starving Elk (band?)¹, Plenty Horses (band?)¹, Mad Wolf (band?), Feathered Wolf (band?)¹.
¹1875: Annual Grand Council of Okmulgee participants.

Northern Cheyenne:
• Sweet Medicine chief: Little Wolf (1869-1879/80, Northern Suh'tai)
• 4 Old Man Chiefs: Little Wolf (1869-1879/80, Northern Suh'tai), Dull Knife aka Morning Star (†1883, O'mi'sis), Old Bear (O'mi'sis), Black Moccasin aka Limber Lance (Northern Suh'tai?)
• 40 Chiefs:
- Northern Oi'vimana (Scabby People): Black Eagle
- Northern Suh'tai (People Left Behind): American Horse, Black Wolf, Box Elder
- O'mi'sis (Eaters): Crazy Head, White Head aka Gray Head, Young Spotted Wolf
- Anskowinis (Narrow Nose): Turkey Legs, Broken Dish aka Calfskin Shirt,
Alleged chiefs: White Shield (O'mi'sis), Bald Bear (band?), Black Bear (band?), Black Crane (band?), Cut Foot (band?), Dirty Moccasin aka Black Moccasin aka Iron (band?), Little Chief (Cheyenne/Oglala?), Living Bear (band?), Magpie aka Magpie Eagle (Southern Cheyenne?), Medicine Bear (band?), Medicine Wolf (band?), Old Crow (band?), Old Wolf (band?), Plum Man (†1876, band?), Spotted Elk (band?), Standing Elk (band?), Strong Wolf aka Big Wolf (band?), Twin (band?), White Dirt aka Powder (band?), Red Arm aka Red Armed Panther aka Red Sleeve (band?).

1884 and on (Reservation Period): did each group have their own Sweet Medicine Chief, 10 Sacred Bands and Council of the 44 Chiefs?

Southern Cheyenne:
• Sweet Medicine chief: Laban Little Wolf (Northern Suh'tai, ?)
• 4 Old Man Chiefs: Laban Little Wolf (Northern Suh'tai, ?), (? ? ?)
• 40 Chiefs:
- Wu'tapiu (Eaters)
- Hisiometa'nio (Ridge Men)
- Southern Oi'vimana (Scabby People)
- Southern Suh'tai (People Left Behind): Three Fingers, Wolf Robe, Prairie Chief
- Hevhaita'nio (Hair Rope): Little Bear, Whirlwind,
- Heviqs'ni'pahis (Aorta People)
- Ho'tami'ta'niu (Dog Soldiers)
- Oqtóguna (Bare-legged)
- Hownowa (Poor People)
Alleged chiefs (principally according to delegation group portraits and Carlisle Indian School visits): Red Moon (Wu'tapiu), Wolf Chief (Hevhaita'nio), Young Bull Bear (Ho'tami'ta'niu), Cloud Chief (band?), Iron Shirt (band?), Man On A Cloud (band?), Stone Calf (1885, band?), Magpie aka Magpie Eagle (Northern Cheyenne?), Henry Roman Nose (band?), High Chief (band?), Little Chief aka Magpie Eagle Feathers (band?), Starving Elk (band?), Thunder Bird aka Richard A. Davis (Ho'tami'ta'niu?), Bear Man (band?), Mad Bull (band?), Brave Bear (band?), Buffalo Meat (band?), Bushy Head (band?), Crooked Nose (band?), Crossed Feathers (band?), Yellow Bear (band?), Short Teeth aka Little Big Jake (band?), Lame Man (band?), Left Hand (band?), Little Chief aka White Spoon (band?), Young Turkey Leg (band?), Little Hand (band?), Little Man (band?), Little Coyote (band?), Mower (band?), Red Bird (band?), Stick aka Joi Hamilton (band?), Stone (band?), Touch The Cloud (band?), White Bird (band?), White Eagle (band?), Wolf Chief (band?), Wolf In The Middle aka Cloud Chief (band?).

Northern Cheyenne:
• Sweet Medicine chief: 1879/80-1892 power vacuum, 1892 Grasshopper (Northern Suh'tai?), 1900 American Horse (Northern Suh'tai), 1911? Laban Little Wolf (Northern Suh'tai, ?), 1940 – 1950 – 1960 Frank Waters (†1962, band?), 1962 Willis Medicine Bull (band?), Albert Tall Bull (band?),
• 4 Old Man Chiefs:
1892: Grasshopper (Northern Suh'tai?), (? ? ?)
1900: Two Moon (band?), American Horse (Northern Suh'tai), Crazy Head (O'mi'sis), Brave Bear (southern band?),
1911?: Laban Little Wolf (Northern Suh'tai), (? ? ?)
1940: Otis Fingers (band?), Dan Old Bull (band?), Little Chief (band?), Frank Pine (band?),
1950: Otis Fingers (band?), Dan Old Bull (†1956, band?), Little Chief (band?), Frank Pine (band?), and other 40 Chiefs automatically renewed;
1960, July 6: 16 present, 12 absent, 16 dead.
• 40 Chiefs:
- Northern Oi'vimana (Scabby People)
- Northern Suh'tai (People Left Behind)
- O'mi'sis (Eaters): Crazy Head, Bobtail Horse, Wooden Leg
- Anskowinis (Narrow Nose)
Alleged chiefs (principally according to delegation group portraits and Little Bighorn Battle celebrations): Standing Elk (band?), Magpie aka Magpie Eagle (Southern Cheyenne?), Big Head Man (band?), Jacob Tall Bull (band?), Two Moon (band?), White Buffalo (band?), Roan Bear (band?), Lone Elk (band?), Samuel Little Sun (band?), Tall Whiteman (band?), Porcupine (band?), White Frog (band?), Thaddeus Redwater (band?), Young Two Moons (band?), Wolf Name (band?).

[carlo]

That’s an impressive piece of work Clarence!

Regarding Brave Wolf (O'mi'sis Council of 44 member): note that he was killed in the summer of 1863 in a large battle between the Crows and an alliance of mostly Oglalas and N.Cheyennes—the Battle Defending the Tents/Where the Camp Was Fortified (First Arrow Creek Battle.) He rode alone toward the Crow warriors in advance of the main attacking party and was riddled with Crow arrows.

You have the year 1863 in brackets behind his name, I assume because he was made a member in that year? That would have probably been in the late spring or early summer; his death occurred in August of that year.

[clarence]

Thanks for reading Carlo! No, the years in brackets indicate the known death or dismissing from the charge. So why we don't find him again ten years leater! I really would like to correctly place some more chiefs...

[kingsleybray]

a very useful source on Northern Cheyenne leadership in 1865 is the list of chiefs and headmen that peace messenger Big Ribs was instructed to contact in fall 1865. I've added band affiliation where not in doubt:


----------------------Cheyennes-----------------------
Grey Head OMISIS
Bull Bear DOG SOLDIER
Dull Knife OMISIS
Tall Bull DOG SOLDIER
Flake Foot
Double Head
White Clay
Spotted Elk
Man that Stands in the water
Little Wolf NORTHERN SUHTAI
Big Head
Old Bear OMISIS
Little Bear
Bear Wolf
Spotted Wolf OMISIS
Tall White Man

source: see amertribes.proboards.com/thread/2416/big-ribs-oglala Ephriam's posting of Sept. 9, 2017

[kingsleybray]

Throwing some fat on the fire here, I'm not convinced that Little Wolf was made Sweet Medicine chief at the renewal in or about 1864. Wooden Leg does state that "Little Wolf was then our most important old man chief", at the time of the Fetterman battle, December 1866: A WARRIOR WHO FOUGHT CUSTER p. 14. The John Stands in Timber interviews indicate that it was after the Treaty of 1868 that Little Wolf was made head chief. On p. 349 of A CHEYENNE VOICE Stands in Timber states that he was made chief at the chiefs' renewal after the treaty. He gives 1869 as the date but my guesstimate hones in on Aug-Sept 1868.

Stands in Timber was not a Little Wolf supporter so that may play into his presentation. But I note that in July 1866 when most of the Northern Cheyenne leadership met with Col Carrington at Ft Phil Kearny, a very old chief named Black Horse was the principal spokesman. He isn't mentioned after Sept. 1866 to my knowledge. Question: was he Sweet Medicine chief? Did he retire or die, and the Bundle was later given to Little Wolf?

Looking forward to the answers!

[kingsleybray]

In the June 1866 Ft Laramie treaty proceedings we have the speech made by Northern Cheyenne chief Cut Nose (to be added to the list). Commr McLaren asked how many chiefs were in the "Eating Band", i.e. the Omisis. Cut Nose responded:

"Old Bear is the head camp man. There are twelve Chiefs in all."

So Old Bear was a key player in the Northern Cheyenne leadership by 1865-66.

[clarence]

Thanks Kingsley! I'll correct my scheme following your informations.
About Little Wolf I don't remember where I found the date for his nomination as Sweet Medicine chief, maybe somewhere here on the blog following Powell's notes.
According to Wooden Legs, Tall White Man was one of the little chiefs of the Elk Horn Scrapers society that fought at the Little Bighorn, so probably not a Council Chief. Cut Nose (O'xeesehe) was said to be only a war (military society) chief on United States Congressional Serial Set: Volume 3055 (recording of the Senate of the United States Executive Documents). That's why I didn't mention him but I'll fix it!

[clarence]

I've added to my diagram the Northern Cheyennes who signed the Fort Laramie Treaty in 1868, May 10. Actually it's hard to distinguish which was cheyenne or arapaho cause they are all mixed up.
From further research I found only 4 cheyenne chiefs (i.e. Council Chiefs) "touched the pen": Little Wolf, Dull Knife, Big Wolf, and Short Hair. So that's my conclusion:

- WAH-TAH-NAH, Black Bear: Northern Arapaho chief;
- BAH-TA-CHE, Medicine Man: Northern Arapaho chief. Identified here on the blog as a Southern Cheyenne delegate to Washington in 1873. Loretta Fowler (Arapahoe Politics, 1851-1978: Symbols in Crises of Authority) claims he was one of the most important Northern Arapaho leaders who settled at the Red Cloud Agency after the Great Sioux War.
- OH-CUM-GA-CHE, Little Wolf: Northern Suhtai Council Chief. This chief was identified as a Northern Arapaho by Fowler and other authors. Actually the Arapaho leader was variously spelled as Ehakatci or Khakatci, so this should be the Cheyenne headman.
- ICHS-TAH-EN, Short Hair: Northern Cheyenne Council Chief (band unknown). The individual portraied alongside Little Wolf and an unidentified man in a noted 1868 Gardner's shot.
- NON-NE-SE-BE, Sorrel Horse: Northern Arapaho chief;
- KA-TE-U-NAN, The Under Man: Northern Arapaho chief (not otherwise identified);
- AH-CHE-E-WAH, The Man in the Sky: Northern Arapaho chief (not otherwise identified);
- WE-AH-SE-VOSE, The Big Wolf: Northern Cheyenne Council Chief (band unknown). Aka Strong Wolf, leader present at the Little Bighorn.
- CHES-NE-ON-E-AH, The Beau (or the Bean?): Northern Arapaho chief (not otherwise identified);
- MAT-AH-NE-WE-TAH, The Man that falls from his horse: Northern Arapaho chief (not otherwise identified);
- OH-E-NA-KU, White Crow: Northern Arapaho chief;
- A-CHE-KAN-KOO-ENI, Little Shield: Northern Arapaho chief (probably). I'm not certain if the signer was the Arapaho leader or the O'mi'sis famed Elk Horn Scrapers warrior, son of Young Spotted Wolf and also known as White Shield.
- TAH-ME-LA-PASH-ME, or Dull Knife: Northern O'mi'sis Council Chief.

[kingsleybray]

An observation on 1868 treaty signatory A-CHE-KAN-KOO-ENI, Little Shield. I think the Arapaho attribution is correct. He is mentioned in several reports in the MISSOURI DAILY REPUBLICAN through 1867 and 1868 as a prominent Northern Arapaho leader. One makes the interesting comment that he was related to Little Raven, the Southern Arapaho chief and ceremonial leader.

[kingsleybray]

According to Black Wolf the 1869 Northern Cheyenne Sun Dance or Medicine Lodge ceremony, held near modern Sheridan, WYO, was remembered as "When the Chiefs Starved Themselves", because all the chiefs entered the Sun Dance Lodge and fasted for four days. See Llewellyn & Hoebel, THE CHEYENNE WAY, p. 13. Black Wolf confirmed the dating, "seven years before Custer".

The Black Wolf account gives some of the context behind this remarkable pledge by the chiefs, but it also could follow a renewal of the membership of the Council of 44. John Stands in Timber states there was such a renewal in the months following the Treaty of 1868. He indicates it took place on the Cheyenne river, and on a tributary creek called Ghost creek. Like I said the other day, I lean to late summer 1868. But I'm open to persuasion.

[clarence]

Ok thanks a lot Kingsley! So apparently in 1864 (and the following years) the Cheyenne Nation was too much ravaged by the Sand Creek Massacre and focused on vengenace raids to concentrate on such a sacred ceremony like the Renewing of the Council. That's my guess for postponing it as far as late Summer of 1868. I'll adjust my table!

[kingsleybray]

I'm beginning to think it may have been 1869 rather than 1868. I may have been trying to be too clever. Stands in Timber told Margot Liberty that Little Wolf "was made a chief in 1869, the year after he signed the 1868 treaty." Pretty clear. That's A CHEYENNE VOICE, p. 360.

In May 1868 Little Wolf had signed the treaty of Fort Laramie. But "the people did not want to accept that treaty . . . . the people objected to his signing the treaty without consent of the chiefs." This was why Little Wolf had Ft Phil Kearny burned immediately after the Army moved out (August 11th, 1868). "The army had [Little Wolf] as a big chief but he was not even a chief then; they reorganized when the ten-year term expired down on the Cheyenne River, then he was put in as a chief, 1869." (p. 349)

Stands in Timber provides a little more detail: Little Wolf "started telling the chiefs and military [warrior societies] what he had done . . . . [but] the chiefs and military band officers came out with guns and shot in the air while he was talking, a signal of objection. He tried two or three days, trying to talk to the people. Then he got mad and burned that fort." (p. 350)

Then we have a very unclear paragraph: "He went over and burned the fort. They sent a delegation after the chiefs reorganized and the creek called Ghost Creek was where it was done; they changed the military leaders too. [That is, both the chiefs and the warrior societies renewed their membership.] And the delegates went in in '59 [1869?] then and [he] was instructed to change the treaty he signed the year before . . . . White Frog said they made [Little Wolf] a chief to change the treaty, [because as a chief] he would have more authority to take care of it." (p. 360)

There is a contemporary newspaper report that a small group of Cheyenne chiefs, including Little Wolf, visited Ft Laramie in early October 1868. This I thought might be the 'delegation' Stands in Timber talks about, sent to straighten out Cheyenne understanding of the treaty? However the statements about the chiefs' renewal seem consistent, that it took place in 1869. I do think that the detail from Black Wolf's story, how the chiefs all fasted in the 1869 Sun Dance Lodge is relevant: a new cohort of chiefs was being consecrated to the tribal good.

I was also looking at the timeline in 1868. For much of the year many or most Northern Cheyennes were down in the Republican river country. Dull Knife did not come north til December. But 1869 looks like all the Northern Cheyennes were together, up in the Powder River Country. This is from contemporary accounts, agency and military records.

So I would see 1869 as the year the Northern Cheyenne selected these four as Old Man Chiefs:

Little Wolf
Dull Knife/Morning Star
Old Bear
Black Moccasin

Dull Knife and Old Bear were conceivably carried over from the last renewal, 1859 if we take literally the statement that a "ten-year term" had expired. Also, clarence, I'm absolutely sure that this was a separate chiefs' renewal from the Southern Cheyennes. The Southern Cheyenne renewal may indeed have been in 1874. So the two tribal divisions got 'out of sync' sometime in the 1850s or 60's. That's how I'd see it.I have some more comments about other renewals and details on the chiefs. But enough for today!

[Dietmar]

I wonder about the statement that Sand Creek was the reason for a postponed renewing of the council chief selection.

According to Peter Powell the great gathering of the Cheyenne bands took place in the summer of 1864 in Solomon River country.
Powell stated that “for the second summer in a row, the Óhméseheso made the journey south to the Dog Men´s country, so that all People were united for the Sacred Arrow ceremonies.” (page 269, People of the Sacred Mountain)

As sources were named mainly Grinnell and his informant in 1911, Shell, a Northern Suhtai, Hyde/Bent and Wooden Leg.

Sand Creek happened in winter 1864, so cannot be the reason for a change of the 10-year period.

[Dietmar]

This a list taken from "People of the Sacred Mountain" by Father Peter Powell:

Renewing of chiefs in summer 1864:

Sweet Medicine Chief: Little Wolf
Old Man Chiefs: Yellow Wolf, White Antelope, ?

Keeper of Medicine Arrows: Stone Forehead (Aorta band)
Keeper of Sacred Hat: Half Bear (+1869), Broken Dish (after Half Bear´s death until 1872), Coal Bear (son of Half Bear, since 1872)

Chief of Hair Rope band: Yellow Wolf (+1864), Bear Man (+1864), Old Whirlwind, Big Man (brother of Yellow Wolf, +1864), Red Moon (son of Yellow Wolf, led band after his father´s death)
Chief of Aorta band: Sand Hill
Chief of Suhtai band: Black Shin (+1867), Bull Chip, Gray Beard (after Black Shin´s death)
Chief of Ridge Men band: White Antelope (+1864), Old Little Wolf , One Eye (1809-1864)
Chief of Scabby band: War Bonnet (1804-1864),
Chief of Wutapiu band: Black Kettle (+1868), White Shield (his nephew, led band after his uncle´s death)
Chief of Broken Jaw band: Bull Ribs
Chief of Dog Men: Tall Bull (+1869), White Horse, Bull Bear, Young Little Robe, Tangle Hair (after 1865, when Little Robe went south)
Chief of Poor People band: Big Head (aka Curly Hair, +1869)

Chief of Omisis: Morning Star (aka Dull Knife), Old Spotted Wolf (aka Whistling Elk) Little Gray Hair (White Head), Old Bear
Chief of Northern Suhtai: Box Elder (1795-1892)
Chief of Northern Scabby: Black Eagle (since early 1860s)
Chief of Rough Neck People: Broken Dish (aka Calfskin Shirt), Turkey Leg

other of the 44 council Chiefs: Lean/Slim Face (+1869), Crow Chief (+1867), Bear Robe (+1864), Spotted Crow (+1864), Stone Calf, Black White Man, Seven Bulls, Little Robe, Bald Bear (aka Hairless Bear or Short Hair), Buffalo Chief (aka Buffalo Head, chosen after Sand Creek), Little Rock (+1868), Little Bear, Spotted Elk (all chosen after Sand Creek)
(all Southern)
Painted Thunder, Black Moccasin (aka Limber Lance), Black Moccasin (aka Iron), Old Wolf, High Back Wolf (Northern Chief, son of Blind Wolf, +1865)
Wolf That Lies Down, Jumping Rabbit, White Clay, Black Horse (+1866), Little Moon, Red Arm, Crazy Head, Short Hair, Big Wolf, Young Spotted Wolf (succeeded Old Spotted Wolf), Cut Foot, Bald Bear, White Dirt,
(all Northern),

Chief of Bowstring Society: Yellow Shield (+1864), Eagle Head (aka Minimic), Heap of Birds, Pawnee
Chief of Kit Fox Society: Two Thighs (+1864, aka Two Buttes)
Chief of Dog Men Society: Tall Bull, White Horse, Bull Bear, Tangle Hair
Chief of Southern Elkhorn Scrapers: Standing In The Water (+1864), Big Crow (after Sand Creek)
Chief of Northern Elkhorn Scrapers: Little Wolf, Lame White Man, Wild Hog

Chiefs killed at Sand Creek in winter 1864:
White Antelope, One Eye (aka Lone Bear), Yellow Wolf, Big Man, Bear Man, War Bonnet, Spotted Crow, Bear Robe, Little Robe (the elder)
Soldier Society Chiefs killed:
Standing-in-the-Water (Elks), Two Thighs (Kit Foxes), Yellow Shield (Bowstrings)