The History of the Northern Arapahoe Flag: The Inventers.

By: Lisa Yawakia

Word had spread thought out the tribe that people wanted something to symbolize our men and women of war. Word reached to the spouses, the mothers and fathers, to the relatives of the World Wars’ warriors. There would be a gathering and talks would take place to decide on a symbol. There were speakers who had gathered, they were Ralph White Antelope, Joseph Asa Brown and William Shakespeare. They talked about their experiences in the World War I. They agreed that a symbol would represent the Arapaho people.

Several more talks would then take place. Bart Sitting Eagle, Ralph Piper, Joe White Owl, Jim Brown and other ceremonial members of the tribe were called on. They talked of the World Wars and of wars of years past. They spoke of the Spaniard wars were our allies, the Sioux and Cheyenne called upon the Arapaho to push the Spaniards back. Talks about the Bad Pipe Society were spoken of as well. The Bad Pipe Society were defenders and protectors of the “People” and of the Ceremonial Pipe. The Ceremonial Pipe exists with our people as of today. Many Arapahos refer to the The Pipe as the “Old Man.”

More talks took place with the Warrior Eagle Bonnet Society. The Warrior Eagle Bonnet women were also spoken with. It was decided then that a flag would be the symbol of the Arapaho people. The Flag would contain colors of the people and contain the seven ingredients that are ceremonial and sacred to the Arapaho Tribe.

The Eagle Society composed a song for the Arapaho Flag. Keepers of the Eagle Drum at the time were Frances Sitting Eagle, General Crook Norse, Joe Crook Norse, Old Jim Brown, Burdick Addison, Lawrence Little Ant, Tom Shakespeare Sr., Jess Oldman, George Quiver, West Shakespeare, Barney Oldman, Old Dog Walker, Charlie Whiteman, and Joe Addison. Also women of the society at that time were Alta Jeffrey, Pauline Warren, Old Lady Goes in Lodge, Old Lady Katie Headly, Marle White Owl, and Virginia Oldman. These women were known as the Women Eagle Singers. Today we hold two drums. Keepers of the drums are Clark Trumbull and family of Arapaho, WY and John Yellowplume and family of Ethete, WY.