Sans Arc facts for kids

The Sans Arc or Itázipčho are an important group of the Lakota people. They are one of the seven main divisions of the Lakota. Today, many Sans Arc people live on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation in South Dakota, a state in the United States. They have a rich history and culture that is still celebrated.

The Sans Arc Lakota People

What Their Name Means

The name Itázipčho is also written as Itazipcola or Hazipco. In the Lakota language, this name means "those who hunt without bows." The name Sans Arc is the French translation, which also means "without bows."

Another way their name has been translated is "Arrows all Gone." This translation comes from a book called Wooden Leg: A Warrior Who Fought Custer.

There's a special story about the meaning of Itazipacola. Some say it truly means "no markings." This refers to how generous the Itazipco people were. Hunters usually marked their arrows so they could claim the bison or other animals they hunted. But the Itazipco did not mark their arrows. This way, everyone could share the meat from the hunt. Because of their generosity, the story says that the White Buffalo Woman Wopi brought the sacred pipe to the Itazipco. This showed they would always be willing to share important things.

Historic Sans Arc Bands

The Sans Arc people, along with the Minneconjou and Two Kettles Lakota, were often called the Central Lakota. These groups lived closely together. The Sans Arc were organized into several family groups or thiyóšpaye, which are like bands.

Here are some of the historic Sans Arc bands:

• Itazipco-hca (meaning ‘Real Itazipco’)
• Mini sala or Minishala (meaning ‘Red Water’)
• Sina luta oin or Shinalutaoin (meaning ‘Red Cloth Earring’)
• Woluta yuta (meaning ‘Eat dried venison from the hindquarter’ or ‘Ham Eaters’)
• Maza pegnaka (meaning ‘Wear Metal Hair Ornament’)
• Tatanka Cesli or Tatankachesli (meaning ‘Dung of a buffalo bull’)
• Siksicela or Shikshichela (meaning ‘Bad Ones’ or ‘Bad ones of different kinds’)
• Tiyopa Canupa or Tiyopaoshanunpa (meaning ‘Smokes at the Entrance’)

Famous Sans Arc Individuals

Throughout history, several Sans Arc individuals became well-known.

• Black Hawk was a famous artist.
• Hump Nose was a respected chief. He was present at the historic Battle of the Little Bighorn.