What is the cheyenne culture?

The Cheyenne language belongs to the Algonquian language family and is closely related to the languages spoken by the Arapaho and certain Plains Cree bands. At the beginning of the 21st century, approximately 1,500 people spoke the Cheyenne language. For this reason, most older Cheyenne people speak at least some English. While not as widespread as in the 1930s, knowledge of the Cheyenne language is still encouraged throughout the Southern Cheyenne and Northern Cheyenne tribes.

Traditions

Many Cheyenne traditions are preserved through the many dances, ceremonies, and rituals the Cheyenne people observe. There are dances for warriors, women, children, and elders, as well as the Sun Dance and the Cheyenne National Holiday Pow Wow. Traditional Cheyenne clothing is elaborately decorated with beads, quill work, paint, and other natural pigments.

Religion

The traditional Cheyenne religion is based on the belief in a supreme being, Maheo (‘’Great Spirit’’), who is a creator, teacher, and guardian. Maheo is sometimes assisted by lesser deities who have certain responsibilities. Most Cheyenne people today adhere to a combination of traditional religious practices and Christianity, which began to spread among the Northern Cheyennes in the 1870s and the Southern Cheyennes in the 1920s.

Dances

Among the many dances preserved in the Cheyenne tradition, the most sacred and important is the Sun Dance. This four-day ceremony occurs annually each summer, usually in June. The Northern Cheyennes hold their Sun Dance near their headquarters in Lame Deer, Montana, while Southern Cheyennes hold their Sun Dance on their tribal lands in southwestern Oklahoma. Other prominent dances include the Warrior Dance, the Women’s Dance, the Crazy Dance, and the Child’s Dance.

Education

The Cheyenne Arapaho Tribal College, located in Clinton, Oklahoma, is a two-year community college that serves primarily Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Kiowa students. For generations, the federal government operated Native American boarding schools, such as the Riverside School in Anadarko, Oklahoma (est. 1891) and the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania (est. 1879), which many members of the Cheyenne tribes were sent to attend (see Carlisle Indian School). Students were forced to speak English and practice Christianity, and their own tribal traditions were suppressed. While these boarding schools contributed significantly to the loss of Native American culture and language, the surviving Boarding School Generation was able to continue many traditions that have ultimately been passed on to their descendants.

Economy

Both Northern Cheyenne and Southern Cheyenne economies continue to be centered on agriculture, ranching, and oil production. Tourism also plays a role in the economy of the Northern Cheyennes, with the Little Bighorn Battlefield site attracting more than 400,000 visitors each year. Additionally, the Northern Cheyennes have their own successful casino, the Northern Cheyenne Casino, and own the historic Irma Hotel in Cody, Wyoming. The Southern Cheyenne economy is based primarily on cattle ranching and oil production, with the tribal lands consisting of one of the largest ranches in the United States, the historic JA Ranch.

Government

The Southern Cheyenne and Northern Cheyenne tribes both have their own independent tribal governments. The Northern Cheyenne tribal government is divided into three branches: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial. The tribe also has a Constitution and a set of elected officials, including the tribal chairman, vice-chairman, and a nine-member Council. On the other hand, the Southern Cheyenne tribal government is divided into two branches: Legislative and Judicial. The tribe’s Constitution and a thirteen-member General Council serve as the tribal government.