Miniconjou

The Miniconjou (Lakota: Mnikowoju, Hokwoju – ‘Plants by the Water’) are a Native American people constituting a subdivision of the Lakota people, who formerly inhabited an area in western present-day South Dakota from the Black Hills in to the Platte River.

The contemporary population lives mostly in west-central South Dakota.

Together with the Sans Arc (Itázipčho, Itazipcola, Hazipco – ‘Those who hunt without bows’) and Two Kettles (Oóhe Núŋpa, Oóhenuŋpa, Oohenonpa – ‘Two Boiling’ or ‘Two Kettles’) they were often referred to as Central Lakota[citation needed] and divided into several bands or thiyóšpaye: The Oóhenuŋpa or Two Kettles were first part of the Miniconjou thiyóšpaye called Wanhin Wega, split off about 1840 and became a separate oyate or tribe.

[citation needed] Joseph White Bull (Ptesan Hunka) explained that prior to being confined to the reservation in the late 19th century, the Miniconjou recognized six hereditary leaders within their tribe, who were chosen from each clan.

"They were treated as chiefs because of this," White Bull explained, "They wore shirts decorated with scalps.