CHEYENNE LIFE TODAY
In
1780 there were approximately 3500 Cheyennes. They were divided into about
ten bands with 300 or so members in each band. Despite epidemics and massacre
their population gradually increased. According to the 2000 Census, presently
there are approximately 11,000 enrolled Cheyenne members.
Though a number of Southern
Cheyennes have since left the region of their original reservation lands,
many still live in the area. Oklahoma towns with a sizable Southern Cheyenne
population include Concho (the Cheyenne-Arapaho tribal headquarters is located
here), El Reno, Kingfisher, Canton, Watonga; in 
addition
to Thomas, Clinton and Weatherford.
The Southern Cheyennes strive
to hold onto their language and cultural tradtions. One of their most sacred
dances, the Sun Dance, is held every summer around the 4th of July in Concho,
Oklahoma.
Contemporarily, Cheyennes can
be found in all walks of life. Cheyenne tribal members are employed as doctors,
educators, artists, etc. They have also transitioned their Plains leadership
style into contemporary enterprises. In conjunction with the Arapahos they
operate and own two casinos-Lucky Star (Concho) and Lucky Star II (Clinton).
Corralled nearthe tribal headquarters roams a growing herd of buffalo. Future
plans for the herd include a meat processing plant to process, package and
distribute buffalo meat. Located in Clinton, Oklahoma is the Cheyenne Cultural
Center. The Center is dedicated to preserving and maintaining the Cheyenne
culture. To further strengthen their tribal communities the Cheyenne-Arapaho
tribes also manage social service programs such as Head Start, Diabetes Wellness
and an Elderly Nutrition Center.
