There Shall We Be Also: Tribal Fractures and Auxiliaries in the Indian Wars of the Northern Great Plains

From its beginning in the American Revolution to its current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, the United States (U.S.) Army has had to deal with tribal societies. In order to succeed in tribal societies it is essential that the U.S. Army understand tribal structures and the fractures in tribal societies that present opportunities and possible solutions.

Tribal structures create an environment in which conflict over resources and status creates traditional enemies between the tribes. It further weakens internal tribal loyalty as loyalty resides at the lowest level within the tribe that can provide resources, increase the group’s status and security. These characteristics create fractures within tribal societies that create an atmosphere in which it is possible to use tribal auxiliaries to resolve conflicts or issues within complex tribal environments.

The Indian Wars on the northern Great Plains from 1865 to 1890 provide some of the best examples in which tribal fractures created the opportunity to use tribal auxiliaries. By closely examining specific events during the Indian Wars, it is possible to identify the characteristics of tribal structures and societies that create the opportunity for using tribal auxiliaries as well as the fact that they provide a unique method for resolving conflict and issues within tribal societies. This study specifically focuses on events that occurred on the northern Great Plains as the U.S. Army sought to subdue and bring into compliance the Sioux and Cheyenne tribes. By examining tribes that assisted the U.S. Army, it is possible to identify tribal fractures and motivations behind why tribes such as the Crow and Pawnee faithfully served as allies to the U.S. Army. It is also possible to identify what led to the collapse of the Sioux and Cheyenne alliance, which resulted in Sioux and Cheyenne bands turning on one another by supporting the U.S. Army against others that refused to comply.