Apsáalooke place names in Greater Yellowstone, part 3
Since time immemorial, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem has been stewarded by Indigenous people who view its lands, waters, and wildlife as sacred. The Indigenous way of caring for the land acknowledges its life-giving energy, is centered on reciprocity, and uses Traditional Ecological Knowledge to keep the ecosystem in balance. Today, over 49 Tribes are keepers of this knowledge and retain deep connections to this remarkable place.
To celebrate and acknowledge the Indigenous connection to Yellowstone, we’re sharing the Indigenous place names of beloved rivers, mountains, and other natural areas throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Below, you’ll find some of the names bestowed on the landscape by the Apsáalooke/Crow people and their ancestors. We encourage you to use and share these names as you explore the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Snake River – Bilixachiíkuse or “Water Moves the Other Way”
The Bilixachiíkuse is one the most iconic waterways found in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. This river meanders like a turquoise snake across the landscape—with many famous photos of it flowing past the Teton Range in Wyoming. Spend a day on the river and you’ll be in a prime position to see some incredible wildlife such as moose, elk, beavers, bald eagles, ospreys, and otters. From its headwaters in western Wyoming to where it meets the Columbia River in Oregon, the Bilixachiíkuse is the thirteenth longest river in the United States. The Greater Yellowstone Coalition played a key role in passing the Craig Thomas Snake Headwaters Legacy Act in 2009, which designated the headwaters of the Bilixachiíkuse and twelve of its tributaries as “wild and scenic,” the highest form of river protection.
Bridger Mountains – Cheétawaxaawe or “Wolf Mountains”
If you’ve ever been to Bozeman, Montana—where GYC is headquartered—you’ve seen the Cheétawaxaawe rise above the town to the north. For generations, the Apsáalooke/Crow people used the Cheétawaxaawe as a bountiful hunting ground. These mountains are a smaller range compared to others in the ecosystem, but they’re filled with wildlife, quiet creeks, dense forests, and breathtaking views. The Cheétawaxaawe are also a recreator’s paradise. No matter the season, there’s something fun to do with plenty of trails, campsites, and the beloved Bridger Bowl—a local ski hill. The range is a part of the Custer Gallatin National Forest, which is a key landscape GYC works to conserve for generations to come.
Yellowstone Geyser Basin - Awé Púawishe or “Land of Steam”
What’s a trip to Yellowstone National Park without exploring the famed geothermal features? At the aptly named Awé Púawishe, you can encounter geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, and mud pots. This land is an incredible geological hot spot due to the proximity of a large magma chamber just below the surface of the Earth. One of the largest eruptions our planet has ever seen occurred in Awé Púawishe and the surrounding area, resulting in the creation of the Yellowstone caldera. You can learn more about the amazing geology of Yellowstone and Awé Púawishe on our podcast, Voices of Greater Yellowstone.
Emigrant Buffalo Jump - Awáassheele Hátchke Koón Bishéelapee or “Long Ridge Where the Buffalo Were Driven Over”
For generations, the Apsáalooke/Crow people used buffalo jumps to hunt and harvest buffalo herds. Near present day Emigrant, Montana, is the location of Awáassheele Hátchke Koón Bishéelapee, a buffalo jump site used by the Apsáalooke. This buffalo jump in particular consisted of natural rock formations that helped funneled buffalo to the edge of the 15-foot cliff. To learn more about Apsáalooke buffalo jumps and their origin, check out the below video from the Native Memory Project.
SOURCES:
The Apsáalooke Place Names Database on the Little Big Horn College Library
Historic Apsáalooke Culture - Little Big Horn College Library
Any thoughts or corrections? Reach out to Senior Digital Communications Associate Emmy Reed at ereed@greateryellowstone.org.
