Cheyenne and Arapaho Village at Sand Creek

Along the northern edge of the Pónoeo 'hé'e, or Sand Creek, about 156 lodges or tipis stood with their entrances facing east in a crescent arrangement, while the individual tribal camps that made up the village were scattered across about 1.5 square miles. This temporary Cheyenne and Arapaho home held about 750 people, with some camps of 10 or 15 people and others of more than 50. Most were Heéváhetane, or Southern Cheyenne, while others identified themselves as kindred but separate bands. Nearby were herds of perhaps 1,400 or more horses, the lifeblood of this plains community and the animals that enabled hunting, warfare, travel, and trade. During the soldiers' attack on the village, the horses were the first target, leaving most inhabitants on foot and at the mercy of their pursuers. At Sand Creek, the course of history and the identity of the Tsétséhéståhese, or Cheyenne, and Hinóno'éi-no', or Arapaho, were changed forever.

Brandon, Colorado · United States