The Northern Arapaho Tribe of Wyoming is one of four groups of Arapaho who originally occupied the headwaters of the Arkansas and Platte Rivers.  They speak a variation of the Algonquin language, and are that people’s most southwest extension. Culturally, they are Plains Indians, but socially and historically distinct.

After signing the Treaty of 1851, the Arapaho and Cheyenne then shared land encompassing on-sixth of Wyoming, one-quarter of Colorado and parts of western Kansas and Nebraska.

Later, when the Treaty of 1868 left the Northern Arapaho without a land base, they were placed with the Shoshone in west central Wyoming, on the Wind River Reservation.

The Northern Arapaho are a federally recognized tribe.

A profile of The Wind River Indian Reservation
Located between the scenic Wind River Range and Owl Creek Mountains, the 2.2 million acre reserve is shared by 3,500 Eastern Shoshone and 7,000 Northern Arapaho. The reservation encompasses the city of Riverton, which features a new airport terminal. The reservation also is bordered by the cities of Lander to the south and Thermopolis to the northeast. The Burlington Northern Railroad runs along our Reservation’s Eastern boundary.

The beautiful Wind River also flows through the reservation, providing water for irrigation and recreation on the Boysen Reservoir, north of Riverton.

The Wind River Indian Reservation holds within its boundaries one of the most beautiful areas in the State of Wyoming. The Wind River Mountain Range borders the west which is the passageway to the Yellowstone Park, (2 hours to the northwest).

St. Stephens Mission:
At St. Stephens Mission, the Heritage Center offers historical displays, traditional crafts and beadwork. Fascinating historical photographs, as well as clothing are on display. Plan on spending at least a half-day here learning about the area's rich history. Black Coal, one of the important leaders of the Arapaho people, is buried west of St. Stephens in the Black Coal Cemetery.