Cheyenne and Arapaho Village at Sand Creek

Cheyenne and Arapaho Village at Sand Creek. Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site. , A Camp at Sand Creek , Along the northern edge of the Pónoeo 'hé'e (Dry River) or Sand Creek, sit about 156 lodges or tipis, with hoóxé’e or tipi poles rising into the sky. Traditionally positioned with their entrances open toward the east, the tipis form a crescent, with each tribal family occupying traditional spots within it. The individual tribal camps which made up the village were scattered over an area of around 1.5 square miles. , This Cheyenne and Arapaho village was a temporary home to about 750 people. Some camps had 10 or 15 people, others more than 50. Most here were Heéváhetane (Southern Cheyenne), while others referred to themselves as kindred, but separate bands. , Scattered nearby were herds of horses, perhaps 1,400 or more, creatures that enabled these plains people to excel as hunters, warriors, travelers, and traders. Horses were the lifeblood of this community. These animals were the first target of the soldiers during their attack on the village – leaving most of the inhabitants foot-bound and at the mercy of the pursuers. Sand Creek temporarily became the center of the universe here the course of history and the identity of the Tsétséhéståhese (Cheyenne) and Hinóno'éi-no' (Arapaho) was changed forever. , "... It wasn't a tight formation like in a circle. It would be kind of like a loose kind of circle but they always had a pathway to the east where the morning sun came up.” , Elsie Standing Elk Wick describing the traditional arrangement of a Cheyenne camp ( Sand Creek Massacre Project, Site Location Study, Vol. 1 ) , Caption: This depiction of the Cheyenne and Arapaho camp at Sand Creek is based on maps drawn by George Bent. Archaeology in 1999 placed the village three quarters of a mile farther north.