CHEYENNE ELK WOMAN

The early, united Cheyenne Nation lived and hunted along the Platte River in Nebraska and Wyoming, eventually divided into the Northern and Southern tribes as the European settlers flooded into their traditional lands. The Southern Cheyenne divided off and joined forces with their Arapaho allies, and ended up mostly in Oklahoma, known as Indian Territory.  They were organized into bands, clans and families, differing from each other in clan names, dress, customs, etc.  Here we see a Southern Cheyenne woman dressed in a traditional leather dress covered with elk teeth, looking thoughtful and skyward, possibly seeking guidance from the Great Spirit.  Her name signifies she is a woman of high honor and spiritual power within her village.