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Hunkpapa
Sioux Indian Tribe History
Hunkpapa ( variously interpreted 'at the entrance, 'at the
head end of the circle,' 'those who camp by themselves,' and `wanderers').
A division of the Teton Sioux. From the meager data
relating to the history of this band it seeing probable that it is one of
comparatively modern formation. When Hennepin, in 1680, found what are
believed to have been the Teton as far i,:% as the banks of the upper
Mississippi, no mention of the Hunkpapa at that early date or for 100
years there after can be found unless it be under some name yet un
identified. Their name is not mentioned by Lewis and Clark, though it is
possible that the tribe is included in the Tetons Saone of those
explorers. The name first appears as Honkpapa, and it is properly written
Honkpapa in the treaty of 1825. It is evident that the tribe was then well
known, although its history previous to this date is undetermined. The
Tetons Saone were located by Lewis and Clark, in 1804, on both sides of
the Missouri below Beaver creek, North Dakota, and were estimated at 300
men or 900 souls in 120 tipis. Ramsey (1849) gave their location as near
Cannonball river. Culbertson (1850) gave their range as on the Cheyenne,
Moreau, Grand, and Cannonball rivers, and estimated them at 320 tipis.
Gen. Warren (1855) said that they lived on the Missouri near the mouth of
the Moreau and roamed from the Big Cheyenne up to the Yellowstone, and
west to the Black Hills. He states that they formerly intermarried
extensively with the Cheyenne. His estimate of population is 365 tipis,
2,920 souls. He adds that many of the depredations along the Platte "are
committed by the Unkpapas and Sihasapas." It is indicative of their
character that they were among the last of the Dakota to be brought upon
reservations. The Indian agent, writing in 1854, says: "All the bands of
Sioux have already received their presents with great appearance of
friendship, excepting the Minnecowzues (Miniconjou), Blackfeet (Sihasapa),
and Honepapas (Hunknapa). The former band are daily expected at the fort,
and will gladly receive their annuities; but the Blackfeet and Honepapas
still persist in refusing any annuities, and are constantly violating all
the stipulations of the treaty. They are continually warring and
committing depredations on whites and neighboring tribes, killing men and
stealing horses. They even defy the Great Father, the President, and
declare their intention to murder indiscriminately all that come within
their reach. They, of all Indians, are now the most dreaded on the
Missouri." And when the agent finally succeeded in reaching them and
holding a council with their chiefs at Ft Clark, they' refused to receive
the presents sent by the Government, stating that they did not want them,
but preferred the liberty to take scalps and commit whatever depredations
they pleased. They took part in most of the subsequent conflicts with the
whites, as that at Ft Phil. Kearney and that with Custer on the Little
Bighorn. The number of the band in 1891 was 571: these were gathered on
Standing Rook Creek reservation, North and South Dakota.
The population is no longer given separately. The noted
Sitting Bull was chief of this tribe, though
in making treaties he signed also for the Oglala.
Their subdivisions as given by J. O. Dorsey are:
(1) Chankaokhan,
(2) Cheokhba,
(3) Tinazipeshicha,
(4) Talonapin,
(5) Kiglashka,
(6) Chegnakeokisela,
(7) Shikshichela,
(8) Wakan, and
(9) Hunskachantozhuha.
Culbertson (Smithson. Rep. 1850, 141, 1851) mentions
the following bands: Devil's medicine-man band (Wakan),
Half breechclout people (Chegnakeokisela),
Fresh meat necklace people (Talonapin),
Sleepy Kettle band (Cheokhba),
Sore backs (Chankaokhan),
Bad bows (Tinazipeshicha), and
Those that carry.
Fire-Heart's band (Chantaapeta's band) is supposed to be a part of the
Hunkpapa.
The books presented are for their
historical value only and are not the
opinions of the Webmasters of the site.
Handbook
of American Indians, 1906
Index of Tribes or Nations
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