Opinion

Clara Caufield: Cheyenne chief brought people back to homeland

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Little Coyote, left, and Little Coyote (also known as Dull Knife), were chiefs of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe in the late 1800s. Photo BAE GN 00270B 06108800 from National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Little Wolf brought the people home 137 years ago
A Cheyenne Voice
By Clara Caufield
www.nsweekly.com

One hundred and thirty seven years ago, on a cold spring day during the first week of April, 114 Northern Cheyenne, the survivors of a once mighty warrior nation, “came home” arriving in Montana, near Fort Keogh (present day Miles City, Mont.). They were led by Chief Little Wolf.

After the Northern Cheyenne were defeated, a short time after the Battle of the Little Big Horn, they were forced into exile in Oklahoma, Indian Territory, which they could or would not accept. Thus, some 300 Northern Cheyenne originally fled Oklahoma on Sept. 9, 1876, determined to return to their beloved north country in Montana. Many died during the harrowing journey which included the Fort Robinson breakout and massacre in January 1879. And, some found sanctuary with the Sioux.

However, Little Wolf’s band made it back to Montana. The group included 33 men, 43 women and 38 children who, under the extraordinary leadership of Chief Little Wolf, outwitted and eluded all efforts of the U.S. military to capture, kill them or force them to return to Indian territory in Oklahoma. Truly, they were all “strong hearts.”

Each year, the Northern Cheyenne observe this heroic accomplishment with a wreath laying ceremony at the graves of Little Wolf and Morning Star (more commonly known as Dull Knife), honor songs, a parade, walk, and community meal. This event is organized by members of the military societies and direct descendants of Chief Little Wolf. It is a solemn occasion as we acknowledge the sacrifice of those brave ones who made it possible for us to have our homeland.

From that small determined group of people, the Northern Cheyenne Tribe now numbers over 11,000 and about 5,000 still live on the Reservation, created in large part because the Little Wolf band refused to live anywhere else.