Sihasapa

The Sihásapa or "Blackfoot Sioux" are a division of the Titonwan, or Teton (also known as Lakota) Sioux.

Sihásapa is the Lakota word for "Blackfoot", whereas Siksiká has the same meaning in the Blackfoot language. Therefore, both nations have the same English name and sometimes are confused with one another.

The Sihásapa lived in the western Dakotas on the Great Plains, and consequently are among the Plains Indians. Their official residence today is the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota, home also to the Itazipco (No Bows), the Minneconjou (People Who Live Near Water)and Oohenumpa (Two Kettle), all bands of the Lakota.

History

Bands

In 1880, John Grass provided a list of the bands (tiyospaye) of the Sihasapa:

• Sihasapa qtca Real Blackfeet
• Kanxicu pegnake Wear raven feathers in their hair
• Glagla heca Slovenly, untidy. Too lazy to tie their moccasins
• Wajaje Kill Eagle’s Band
• Hohe Assiniboine, Rebels
• Wamnugaoin Shell ear ornaments or Pendants

Famous Sihásapa

• John Grass
• Kill Eagle
• Crawler

Notes

References

• Anderson, Harry H. "An Investigation of the Early Bands of the Saone Group of Teton Sioux." Washington Academy of Sciences Journal 46, no. 3 (1956): 87-94.
• Robinson, Doane. "A History of the Dakota or Sioux Indians from Their Earliest Traditions and First Contact with White Men to the Final Settlement of the Last of Them Upon Reservations and Consequent Abandonment of the Old Tribal Life." South Dakota Historical Collections 2, Part 2 (1904): 1-523.