The Arapaho: History & Culture By: Isaiah Keyes

The Original Inuna-ing Living in the west, the Arapaho used to hunt much buffalo, moving with the animals. Living in the west, the Arapaho used to hunt much buffalo, moving with the animals. They lived in teepees, tall tents that were made of wooden poles with buffalo skin stretched around it. They lived in teepees, tall tents that were made of wooden poles with buffalo skin stretched around it. Northwestern University Library, Edward S. Curtis's 'The North American Indian': the Photographic Images,

Savage or Smart? Though often seen as savage, the Indians were very intelligent and learned to survive on the harsh plains. They were very organized and everyone had a necessary job to help the community. They were very organized and everyone had a necessary job to help the community. They knew to crush berries into patties to dry and eat in the winter. They knew to crush berries into patties to dry and eat in the winter. They used natural substances to create medicine. They used natural substances to create medicine.

Their relationship with nature The skunk was the medicine man. The skunk was the medicine man. The Hawthorn bush was supposed to be connected to Thunder Bird, who was involved in creation. The Hawthorn bush was supposed to be connected to Thunder Bird, who was involved in creation. This is true: plum pits on a basket represented burrs on the fur of a buffalo! This is true: plum pits on a basket represented burrs on the fur of a buffalo! Almost EVERYTHING represented something

Peaceful Relationships The tribe swelled to such a huge size that they needed to split into the Northern and Southern tribes. The tribe swelled to such a huge size that they needed to split into the Northern and Southern tribes. In 1846, the Arapaho, Cheyenne and other tribes were united in peace. In 1846, the Arapaho, Cheyenne and other tribes were united in peace. Before the settlers, the Arapaho got along with many people.

Warring Relationships 18 years later, the same tribes were under a truce flag when 700 U.S. soldiers marched to Sand Creek and massacred 150 women, children and elderly. 18 years later, the same tribes were under a truce flag when 700 U.S. soldiers marched to Sand Creek and massacred 150 women, children and elderly. At Little Bighorn in 1876, they fought General George A. Custer. At Little Bighorn in 1876, they fought General George A. Custer. Copyright ©Copyright © Denver Public Library, Colorado Historical Society, and Denver Art Museum The Sand Creek monument in Colorado.

TODAY These days, the Arapaho do not roam through the Western States. Now they live in reservations there. Instead of a chief to rule, they have a council. Instead of finding buffalo to eat, they buy store- bought/packaged meat. Life has changed much.

Works Cited American Peoples. New York : Dorling Kindersley, “The Arapaho Project.” Colorado.edu. University of Colorado and the Colorado Endowment for the Humanities June Heth, Charlotte. “Eagle Dance (Northern Arapaho).” Songs of Earth, Water, Fire and Sky: Music of the American Indian, 1976.