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TheMiniconjou (Lakota:Mnikowoju,Hokwoju – ‘Plants by the Water’) are aNative American people constituting a subdivision of theLakota people, who formerly inhabited an area in western present-day South Dakota from theBlack Hills in to thePlatte River. The contemporary population lives mostly in west-central South Dakota. Perhaps the most famous Miniconjou chief wasTouch the Clouds.
Together with theSans Arc (Itázipčho,Itazipcola,Hazipco – ‘Those who hunt without bows’) andTwo Kettles (Oóhe Núŋpa,Oóhenuŋpa,Oohenonpa – ‘Two Boiling’ or ‘Two Kettles’) they were often referred to asCentral Lakota[citation needed] and divided into severalbands orthiyóšpaye:
TheOóhenuŋpa or Two Kettles were first part of the Miniconjou thiyóšpaye calledWanhin Wega, split off about 1840 and became a separateoyate ortribe.[citation needed]
JosephWhite 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.[1] These men were:
These men became renowned war chiefs among the Miniconjou, rising through the ranks of the men's warrior societies. "They were treated as chiefs because of this," White Bull explained, "They wore shirts decorated with scalps."[1] He identified these two leaders as:
Other notable Miniconjou:[2]
