Places
Dubois: niisonoh'oho'
Arapaho meaning: two boys
The name of this place is a play on words. The Arapaho name means "two boys", and the word Dubois sounds similar when spoken in English. The first white family moved here in 1866.
Lost Cabin: konouuwoo'oe'
Arapaho meaning: sweat brush
This is the site of the Bates Battle of 1874 between the Shoshones allied with troops from Camp Brown and the Northern Arapaho lead by Chief Black Coal.
Arapahoe: hinono'ei'
Arapaho Meaning: where the Arapaho stay
A small town in Wyoming was named for the Arapaho indians who inhabited the area, along with the Cheyenne. The origin of the word Arapaho is not known, the Arapaho know themselves as hinono'ei' meaning "Our People." To go to the language page, click "More"
Green River: 3iikoneiniicie
Arapaho Meaning: skeleton river
Named because skulls were found in the area. There was a large massacre of Chinese in the area in the late nineteenth century, but it is not known if this is the reason for the name. The railroad gave the area its first boom and in 1875,
Rawlins: heso'ooboone'
Arapaho Meaning: at the railroad
This was the closest railroad stop to the Wind River reservation for many years.
Saratoga: tecenoo
Arapaho Meaning: the door
This is the gateway into North Park Colorado, a major buffalo hunting area for the Arapaho.
Larimie: niitokooxeeetiini'
Arapaho Meaning: where the tepee poles are obtained
As the name suggests, this area was used by the Arapaho to collect lodge poll pines for tepees and later for lumber in the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad in the 1860s.
Willow Creek: Yonookoxuu'uuni'
Arapaho Meaning: Where it is willowy
Many varieties of willow grow in this area; alpine willows, mountain willows, and whiplash willows are a few. The whiplash willows with their shining red stems are the kind that grow here. In addition to tipis
Steamboat: neniikote'eit neh'eiht
Arapaho Meaning: Where Bushy Head was killed
Near the present day Steamboat Springs, there was a battle in which an Arapaho named Bushy Head was killed. Today this is a popular ski resort town producing olympic contenders and gold medal athletes.
Weld
Before Colorado was a territory, this area was known as the Great American Desert. There is evidence of many nomadic tribes living here including the Arapaho, Cheyenne, Sioux and Ute. Named for Lucius Weld, the first territorial secretary.
Utah: woo'teeneihi'
Arapaho Meaning: Where the Utes are
Ute Indians (who call themselves Nuciu, "The People") lived around this area. The name Utah was given to the state in 1896.
South Fork: wox niiciihehe'
Arapaho Meaning: bear creek
South Fork is a town near the junction of the Rio Grande River, and once serviced lumber and mining activities in the area. George Crofutt visited South Fork 1885 and noted "game and trout are abundant in the mountains and streams, while cattle and sheep roam over the hills."
Denver (South Platte): niineniiniicie
Arapaho Meaning: tallow creek
This name is remembered by contemporary Arapahos, who explain that the river was often full of tallow because the area was a favorite camp and butchering area. Tallow was used in the women's buffalo-lodge ceremony and was also symbolically important in the Sun Dance.
Sand Creek: niiciineciini'
Arapaho Meaning: there is no water there
In 1864, the Arapaho and Cheyenne made peace with Governor John Edwards and set up camp along Sand Creek. On November 29, 700 US volunteer soldiers marched to Sand creek and killed 150 women, children and elderly. The survivors retreated to the camp of the Cheyenne Dog Warriors who were opposed to the peace treaty from the start.