The names of their bands
or divisions, as given by different writers, vary
considerably, owing to the loose organization and wandering
habit of the tribe. Lewis and Clark mention as divisions in
1805:
(1) Menatopa (Otaopabiné of
Maximilian), Gens de Feuilles [for filles] (Itscheabine), Big
Devils (Watopachnato ), Oseegah, and another the name of which is not
stated. The whole people were divided into the northern and southern and
into the forest and prairie bands. Maximilian (Tray., 194, 1843) names
their gentes as follows:
(1) Itscheabine (gens des filles)
(2) Jatonabine (gens des roches)
(3) Otopachgnato (gens du large)
(4) Otaopabine (gens des canots)
(5) Tschantoga (gens des bois)
(6) Watopachnato (gens de (l'age)
(7) Tanintauei (gens des osayes)
(8) Chabin (gens des montagnes)
A band mentioned by Hayden (op. cit., 387), the
Minishinakato, has not been identified with any named by Maximilian. Henry
(Jour., it, 522-523, 1897) enumerated 11 bands in 1808, of which the Red
River Rabbit, Eagle Hills, Saskatchewan, Foot and Swampy Ground
Assiniboin, and Those - who - have - water- for- themselves only can not
be positively identified. This last may be Hayden's Minishinakato. Other
divisions mentioned, chiefly geographical, are: Assiniboin of the Meadows,
Turtle Mountain Sioux, Wawaseeasson, and Assabaoch (?)
