Council of Forty-four facts for kids

The Council of Forty-four was a very important group that helped govern the traditional Cheyenne Native American people. It worked alongside the military societies, like the Dog Soldiers. Over time, the Council of Forty-four became less powerful. This happened because of disagreements among the Cheyenne about how to deal with white settlers moving onto the Great Plains. The Council was also badly hurt by the Sand Creek massacre.

The Council of Forty-four was a council of chiefs. It was made up of 44 chiefs in total. Four chiefs came from each of the ten Cheyenne bands. There were also four special "Old Man" chiefs. These "Old Man" chiefs had served on the council before and were highly respected.

Long ago, three related tribes called the Heviqs-nipahis, the Sutaio, and the Masikota joined together. They formed the Tsé-tsêhéstâhese, which means "Like Hearted People." Today, we know them as the Cheyenne. After they united, the tribe divided into ten main groups or bands:

Council chiefs were usually older men who were widely respected. They were in charge of the daily issues affecting the tribe. They also worked to keep peace both within the tribe and with other groups. Chiefs of individual bands made decisions for their own groups. But big matters, like treaties and alliances that affected the whole tribe, needed discussions by the entire Council of Forty-four.

Chiefs were not chosen by voting. Instead, the Council of Forty-four members chose their own replacements. Chiefs were usually selected for ten-year periods. Councils were held every four years to make these choices. Many chiefs were first members of military societies. However, they had to leave their military groups when they were chosen as chiefs.

Military Societies

While the chiefs managed the overall government of the bands and the tribe, the leaders of the military societies had different jobs. They were responsible for keeping order within the tribe. They also oversaw tribal hunts and important ceremonies. Plus, they provided military leadership. The Council chiefs decided which of the six military societies would take on these duties. After a certain time, the chiefs would choose a different society to take over.

Challenges to the Cheyenne Government

Starting in the 1830s, the Dog Soldiers changed. They began as a Cheyenne military society but grew into a separate, powerful group. This group included Cheyenne and Lakota warriors. They claimed land in what is now southern Nebraska, northern Kansas, and northeastern Colorado.

By the 1860s, fighting between Native Americans and white settlers increased. The Dog Soldiers, who favored fighting, became very powerful. Their influence, along with that of other military societies, challenged the traditional Council of Forty-four chiefs. The Council chiefs were more likely to want peace with the white settlers.

The Sand Creek massacre on November 29, 1864, was a terrible event. Many Cheyenne and Arapaho people were killed, and they lost their belongings. This event also badly damaged the Cheyenne's traditional government. Eight of the 44 members of the Council of Forty-four died at Sand Creek. These included White Antelope, One Eye, Yellow Wolf, Big Man, Bear Man, War Bonnet, Spotted Crow, and Bear Robe. Leaders of some military societies also died. Most of the chiefs who had supported peace with white settlers and the U.S. government were among those killed.

This massacre made the disagreements between the traditional council chiefs and the Dog Soldiers even worse. To the Dog Soldiers, the Sand Creek Massacre showed that the peace chiefs' ideas of making treaties with white settlers, like the first Treaty of Fort Laramie and the Fort Wise Treaty, were wrong. It made the Dog Soldiers feel that their own approach of fighting was correct. The traditional Cheyenne clan system, which was used to choose chiefs for the Council of Forty-four, was seriously weakened by these events. The respect and influence of the traditional Council chiefs to guide the young men and to make agreements with white people were greatly reduced. This also led to the rise of the Dog Soldiers' more aggressive policies.

Today

The Cheyenne Tribe still has the Council of Forty-Four today. Some of the current Peace Chiefs who are active in the Native American community include Gordon Yellowman, Sr., Harvey Pratt, W. Richard West, Jr., and Lawrence Hart. Ben Nighthorse Campbell is also a member of the North Cheyenne Council of Forty-Four.