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Native American Tribes of Wyoming


Did you know the name "Wyoming" comes from a Algonquian Indian word? It is an English corruption of the Lenape word Chwewamink, which means "by the big river flat."

The Lenape never lived in the area that is now Wyoming, however... the state's name was borrowed from a placename in Pennsylvania.

The original inhabitants of the area that is now Wyoming included:

 *The Arapaho tribe
*The Cheyenne tribe
*The Crow tribe
*The Shoshone tribe

Other Indian tribes driven into Wyoming after Europeans arrived included:

 *The Lenape tribe

See also our new Arapaho, Cheyenne, Crow, Shoshone, and Lenape Facts for Kids pages!

There are two federally recognized Indian tribes in Wyoming today.

 Wyoming's Shoshone and Arapaho tribes share a single Indian reservation:

*Wind River Reservation:
PO Box 217
Fort Washakie, WY 82514
http://www.northernarapaho.com/ and http://www.easternshoshone.net/

Other resources about American Indian history, culture and society in Wyoming state:

 *Indians of Western Wyoming :
     History of Wyoming's Shoshone and Arapaho Indians.
*Wyoming Reservations:
     Extensive profiles of the Wyoming Indian tribes including culture, history, and contacts.
*Wyoming Historical Museums Guide:
     Directory of historical museums in each county of Wyoming, including museums dedicated to American Indian tribes.

Recommended books about Wyoming Native Americans:

 *Wyoming Indians: Introducing Wyoming's Native American history and culture to kids.
*Ancient Visions: Art book of ancient Indian petroglyphs and pictographs in Wyoming and Montana.
*People of the Wind River: In-depth history of the Eastern Shoshone Indians of Wyoming.
*What You See in Clear Water: Interesting book about tensions between Arapahos, Shoshones and whites in Wyoming.



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