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District One
Tribal Council Representatives (2)
Bryce In The Woods
Steve Moran
District Council
Ronica Eagle Chasing, Chairwoman
Juanita Oros, Secretary
Communities in District 1
Thunder Butte
Isabel
Iron Lightning
Dupree
Bear Creek
Green Grass
THUNDER BUTTE:
Herman Slides Off describes how Thunder Butte got its name in the following narrative, “The name Thunder Butte was given to the butte after a mysterious thunder storm originated from the butte. The incident was witnessed by an Indian hunting party. The group camped a few miles west of the butte and early one morning a small, dark cloud was forming on the top of the butte. And as the cloud grew larger, loud thunder was heard until a thunder storm moved out from the butte. Such incidents were witnessed by the Indians between 1850 and as late as 1910.
The butte was also known as a sacred place then. Signs of important forthcoming events could be seen on one side of the butte at certain times of the day. Examples of these signs were the coming of enemies or of a hard winter, the location of buffalo herds, and also signs of forthcoming individual mishaps.”
ISABEL:
Isabel was named for the daughter of one of the Milwaukee Railroad officials.
IRON LIGHTNING:
Iron Lightning was named after the Lakota headman, Iron Lightning.
WASICU IKCEKA OTUNWAHE - DUPREE:
The town of Dupree was given an Indian name which translates to ‘common man town.’ It is also named after a French man, Fred Dupree or Dupris, who married a Lakota woman from this area.
MATO WAKPA - BEAR CREEK:
Long ago bears used to roam this creek before it was inhabited by people.
GREEN GRASS:
Green Grass is originally Pezito Wakpa which was supposedly settled in the 1800s when the Itazipco/Sans Arc/Without Bows were looking for a place to camp. They settled on the southeast side of the community of present Green Grass. The Itazipco settled there as they were hungry and the buffalo were plenty in the area of Green Grass Creek. The grass was so tall, the buffalo lying in it couldn't be seen in the creek area, therefore the name Green Grass Creek. They settled there with the White Buffalo Calf Pipe at a horseshoe bend along the Pezito Wakpa. The name was later shortened to Green Grass.
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