The Wapiti Nation of Ambarino

[Tsayoga]

The Wapiti Nation​

"Progress through Indian Unity." ~ Tribal Creed​

Pre-Treaty History​

Prior to contact with settlers, the Wapiti Tribe were mostly wood-workers and skilled hunters. Living a nomadic life-style all around the Ambarino region, the Wapiti Tribe would display their hunting prowess by leaving impressive totems behind whenever they had chosen an area for temporary settlement. This meant that though the Wapiti Tribe were nomadic and would adjust their locations during the different seasons, they would typically re-use locations or set up camp near well-known areas previously encamped. The tribe yielded the American Buffalo but also feared and respected the Grizzly Bear. Pointing to the Grizzly bear's ruthless aggression and strong protective qualities to their family, the Wapiti revere this amazing creature and have always maintained the sacred status of such an animal. Not much is known about their warring habits, as they quickly had taken to firearms. What is known is that they seemed to be very skilled archers and tomahawk throwers. It is believed, based upon earlier violent conflicts between the Wapiti Tribe and Western settlers, that the Wapiti would have favored ambush tactics utilizing their legendary archery skills to devistating affect. It seemed their combat favored ranged engagements and mimicked traditional hunting patterns. There is not any evidence of Wapiti farming, however, the Wapiti certainly would partake in agriculture growing many grains such as corn as well as tobacco. This is evident from repeat settlement sites where totems and further evidence of small agricultural areas where they grew crops. Due to their nomadic life-style, the Wapiti are credited, in part, with the plentious expansion of Indian Tobacco in the Ambarino region.

During early contact with Western settlers, the Wapiti would find themselves utilizing the aid of American calvary in dealing with more menacing enemies out west toward New Austin and Mexico. It was during these engagements that the Wapiti would learn and quickly adapt to the fighting style of the American Calvary units they faught in battle with against the likes of the Apache, then a historic enemy of the Wapiti.
Though existence with settlers was mostly peaceful, there have been accounts of violence with settlers and even battles with US military. These occurances ran more frequent previous to the forced relocation of the Wapiti, but prior to the 1897 Treaty of Ambarino.

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Rising Tensions​

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After helping to secure defeats of western tribes, such as the Apache and Comanche, the Wapiti Tribe soon felt tension and unease at the relationship with the United States. How long before the invaders turn on their word and come for the Wapiti's land and resources? This was a quesiton that was all-too common in the early 1870s, This tension proved to be mutual as lone acts of violence near growing railroads by any Indian were blamed entirely on the Wapiti as a whole and utilized in a propaganda machine to further fuel tension and fulfil the manifest destiny of the United States of America. One instance of a Comanche man who was arrested by American officers, involved the man murdering 4 workers for the railroad company in charge with expanding the rail-ways throughout the region. Though there was no evidence linking this man to the Wapiti tribe, the United States would use this event as a sign of cooperation with resisting tribes by the Wapiti. These tensions would come to a tee with the Window Rock Massicre of 1875.

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Window Rock Massacre (1875)​

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On the morning of August 12th, 1883, the United States government had officially declared the Wapiti Tribe to be re-located to the northern section of the Ambarino area. Strict sanctions and laws were placed upon the Wapiti tribe. These sanctions included punishment for celebrating certain Wapiti tribal religious ceremonies. Though firearms were allowed for hunting reasons, this agreement seemed very vague and was never officially solidified in written agreement. In-fact, some of the punishments for practicing certain tribal dances were punished with extreme legal sentences such as forced labor and some instances of lynchings. The Wapiti tribal council chose to abide by most of the sanctions to avoid further violence with the United States military. However the people were not so easily swayed into giving up their religious and God-given rights to protect their people, to sing their songs, to dance their dances, and to hunt in the land that their forefathers hunted without fear of death or persecution.

This inspired a series of religious dances and songs done as an act of defiance to their would-be conquorers. These ceremonies stood as a symbol of resistance and resiliance to the face of adversity. This did not sit well with the local citizens of the Kamassa state areas and would lead to frequent intervention by the US Army. Things would take a more drastic change when word of a Wapiti encampment near Window Rock reached the US Army brass. The Army command decided to send a small force to the village to disarm the encampers and arrest anyone caught violating the sanctions. The end result of this engagement would be the single worst act against a Native American tribe in the western United States in recorded history.

On the morning of December 15th, 1890, the United States Army 7th Calvary Division surrounded the encampent with m1875 machine guns. The encampent at the time was under the supervision of the Principal Chief Mathó Máni (Walking Bear). The total at the Window Rock encampent were 350 Wapiti. 120 men and 230 women and children. This is in stark contrast to the US 7th Calvary Divsion which numbered over 500 strong. The following morning on December 16th, 1890, the 7th Calvary decided to send a party into the encampment to disarm them. It was found that no women or elderly men possessed fire-arms. What began the chaos that would ensue next is unclear. Some accounts by Wapiti claim that a medicine man began performing the sacred Ghost Dance which only served to enrage the Calvary officers present. This would encourage a group to join in and lead to the violent aprehension of the medicine man. During the arrest rifle fire, believed to be from a nervous Calvary soldier, began a chain of unfortunate events. Suddenly, at the sound of gunfire, three Wapiti men retreived rifles they managed to conceal from the Calvary soldiers killing two soldiers and a Calvary officer.

At once the entire region errupted as the machine guns opened fire. It is believed the three men, and the medicine man, were killed in the opening moments of the gun-fire. This caused chaos as scared Wapiti citizens ran, attempting to flee from the gun-fire. As Chief Walking Bear lead a large group of unarmed Wapiti, they were chased and hunted down by mounted calvary. There were many recorded groups of unarmed Wapiti attempting to flee that were cut down mercilessly by automated gunfire and Calvary sabers. It is believed that the amount of gunfire had convinced the Calvary that the Wapiti were firing back at them.

By the time the gun smoke settled, the sounds of gunfire were soon replaced by the sounds of screams, cries, and death rattles. Of the 350 Wapiti at the encampent, 51 survivors (4 men, 47 women and children) were loaded into wagons to be processed for crimes. Of those 51 survivors only 45 made it to prison. During the journey, 1 man, 4 women, and 2 children had perished. The United States Army 7th Calvary Division suffered only 25 dead. While 299 dead Wapiti, including Chief Walking Bear, lay dead in the snow. Of the 299 dead Wapiti only 8 were found with weapons on or near them.

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[Tsayoga]

The Occupation of Fort Wallace​

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Though the trial was swift and unjust to the survivors of the Wind Rock Massacre, 3 men and 12 women were hanged. The last remaining man and other women and children were soon sent on wagons back to the Wapiti territory. However due to the extreme circumstances that arrose, many Wapiti were entirely outraged by the occurance. This culmiated to a dangerous point when a band of Waiti warriors, lead by Zí Chúŋwíŋyaŋka (Yellow Hawk), captured a train carrying munitions and food for Calvary soldiers at Fort Wallace. Eight soldiers were killed as well as the conductor. The rest of the crew and soldiers were utilized as hostages. This prompted the attention of Colonel Johnston Welchman, acting commander of Fort Wallace, to confront the war party. However what was perceived as an act of retribution was underestimated for the cunning trap it was. Yellow Hawk and Colonal Welchman would begin negotiations surrounding the train, it's cargo, and passengers. During these negotiations there was no gunfire, however, it can be noted that Colonel Welchman held himself with a "dignified, but respectful, cadence in tone". During the negotiations Yellow Hawk offered himself, one brave, and the passengers over to the Calvary if they allowed the rest of the war party to leave peacefully without being followed. Colonel Welchman obliged this agreement. As a result, 38 braves returned home, and Yellow Hawk and his chosen brave surrendered themselves, the train, and the passengers into the custody of Colonel Welchman without incident.

However while dealing with Yellow Hawk, Colonel Welchman had not properly ensured that Fort Wallace was entirely secure from threat, as their attention was fully capture by the train incident. It was during this time that, Tȟáȟča Hušté (Jumping Deer), lead another band of warriors to the Fort. By exploiting the fort's weakened status, Jumping Deer and his party were able to fully infiltrate the fort, catching it's 20 active guards by surprise. The Fort housed 60 soldiers and workers. Though a smaller fort, the warband numbered 150 strong, and most soldiers were asleep at this hour. During the brief engagement, 14 soldiers were killed or wounded. The rest quickly surrendered and became prisoners.

By the time Colonel Welchman had returned to Fort Wallace, he quickly began a path to the fort as he noticed there seemed to be no trace of life. No guards, no lights, nothing. As he hastily ran toward the Fort's Doors he was greeted by the warcry of 150 Wapiti Warriors from within the fort. Under the advice of his newly captured prisoner, Yellow Hawk, Colonel Welchman had decided to attempt a diplomatic solution. The diary of 2nd Liutenant Noel Bassinger recorded the initial events of this negotation:

"It was strange seeing the face of Colonel Welchman twisted in such a manner. I have seen him deal with fear before but this was not the look which peered at that fort on that night. What I saw as a man perplexed. Baffled at how the fort he once presided over, and the souls within he protected, would be so swifty taken from him. And those souls endangerd. The screams of the Wapiti was deafening to us but I don't think Colonal Welchman even noticed them.

It was precisely at this moment, during his silence, as the screams faded, that had given birth to a lone cricket chirp, only to be interrupted by the deep voice of the Indian warrior we had captured from the train. I honestly did not expect that man to know a lick of English but I'll be damned if he didn't speak it with the clarity and grace of an educated, American, congressman. Just seven words uttered to us in a neutral tone: "You should speak to avoid more death."

Colonel Welchman turned to acknowledge the man and then nodded thusly, before taking a moment to compose himself. He finally spoke to the voices in the fort. And was greeted by a calm voice in English. Every soldier shall see in his duties both death and destruction. However not every soldier should see a moment of two enemies speaking in such a regard of respect to where you are certain you are witnessing the exchange of words between two business men during a simple business transaction. To this day I cannot say why out of everything that night sticks with me. But my God, be praised, everyone who went to bed that night woke up the next morning."

During opening negotiations, it is documented by several sources that the conversation between Jumping Deer and Colonel Welchman was respectful, given the circumstances. Colonel Welchman bartered for the lives of the soldiers and workers within the fort in exchange for a simple request from Jumping Deer. All sources agree on the four word initial response from Jumping Deer: "Give me three days". Jumping Deer released three men unharmed to the Colonel Welchman in exhange for waiting the three days. The Colonel then decided to set up a camp near by and there they waited for three days.

On the second day, Lieutenant Colonel William Porter decided to defy Colonel Welchman's orders, and attempt a rescue using Yellow Hawk as bait. Along with five other soldiers, Porter seized Yellow Hawk and made their way toward the western-wall of the fort, presumably to negotiate a surrender or prisoner exchange, in defiance of Colonel Welchman's orders to not engage in any capacity during the three days. It is unclear if the Wapiti or the Lt. Colonel's squad fired first. However it was documented that either 8 or 10 shots in total were fired. Colonel Welchman immediately took precaution to investigate the matter to discover that Lt. Colonel Porter and Yellow Hawk lay dead, along with 2 wounded members of his rogue squad. As a result, Colonel Welchman immediately began to exchange correspondence with Jumping Deer, whose warriors remained hidden out of view of Army sharp shooters. Thankfully the result was Jumping Deer exchanged four more prisoners for the body of Yellow Hawk. This exchange occured without further incident.


It was also during these three days that outrage among the citizens of sourrounding Kamassa state towns began to voice outrage. The United States could not completely hide the events of Window Rock the weeks prior. Now with the Occupation of Fort Wallace, the locals have had enough. They were tired of worrying in fear of their own lives due to retribution from the Wapiti. As the citizens had mostly a good relationship in the past with the Wapiti. There were even many house-holds who would adapt certain cuisines and cultures from the Wapiti. There also existed documented evidence of adoption and marriage mutually agreed upon by both the Wapiti and American families that had settled within that region.

Thanks to the added outrage at the events and how they have unfolded. U.S. Government officials sent an order directly to Colonel Welchman which reached him on the third evening. "Do Not Engage". It was during this time that the US Marshalls officially took over negotiations. Over another two days the US Marshalls and Colonel Welchman would broker an agreement with Jumping Deer. The result of which saw the safe exchange of the remaining hostages. In exchange, Jumping Deer would require that Yellow Hawk's brave, and his men within the fort, be allowed safe passage back to Wapiti land. If this were agreed upon, Jumping Deer would offer himself into the custody of the U.S. Marshalls. The agreement went peacefully and Jumping Deer was arrested on February 20th, 1891 by the U.S. Marshalls.

 

[Tsayoga]

Recognition​

Due to the dramatic events that unfolded in Kamassa's Ambarino territory, the US government was forced to address the issue formerly. It was during this time that it was voted and decided to officially discuss regonition of the Wapiti Tribe as a Soverign Nation within the boarder and protection of the USA. The proposals in total took nearly 5 years to pass. And another 3 years before official ratification. During this time, Jumping Deer was released from custody as a sign of good faith for the intention of the recognition proposal. Jumping Deer was chosen by the Wapiti as the first official Principal Chief of the Wapiti Nation during the signing of the 1897 Treaty of Ambarino.

The Wapiti would go on to help found the Ambarino First People's Confederacy, along with other tribes in the Ambarino region. The Ambarino Confederacy would be a more secure way for multiple tribes to work together to deal in business with Kamassa and United States businesses in peaceful exchange. Tribes under this agreement protect eachother but govern themselves according to their own agreement known as the "Ambarino First People's Confederacy Rules of Law" doctrine. The overall goal of the Ambarino Conferacy is directly influenced by the Wapiti Nation itself. To progress with the times, work with local and federal law and businesses, and to ensure unity among the Confederacy so that the Native peoples of Ambarino can continue to safely practice their beliefs and traditions without fear of massacre.

Post-Recognition​

The Wapiti Nation continued to thrive, somewhat, in business. Between Indian Tobacco, wood work (such as canoe and bow making), the Wapiti began to earn an honest living as a newly recognized nation under the leadership of Jumping Deer. It was soon discovered that near Cortolla Springs were many sulfure pools ripe for harvest. The United States and Kamassa State officials officially began opening talks to trade the Wapiti for this rich sulfur resource. What business would follow would be mostly professional and peaceful. With the Wapiti rapidly growing in economic power, sealing their position as head of the Ambarino First People's Confederacy. The Wapiti would establish several trading outpost circling around Sulfur, Woodworking, Tobacco, and other tourist based merchandise.

The Wapiti Nation allow tourism, however, parlay via U.S. Postal service must be signed and agreed upon by the Wapiti Tribal council. Usually tourism is only allowed along the road leading north of Donner Falls leading into the Reservation. However trader posts established near the boarder territories of the Wapiti are generally friendly. The Wapiti Nation polices itself and enforces it's own laws. This includes legal recourse to tresspassers of American or non-Ambarino Confederacy citizenship as the Wapiti Nation territory is seen as soverign land as per the 1897 Treaty of Ambarino.




(Pictured: Wapiti Nation territory and major trading posts circa 1900)