Indian Names Puzzle
Tourists.
Automobile tourists who tour
the great northwest, Minnesota,
North and South Dakota, especial
ly those who for the first time
visit the Black Hills region, which
is called the "Wonderland of the
Dakotas", wonder at the names of
places and objects which they en
counter on their trip. Hot Springs,
for instance, is named from the
springs of hot water which bubble
from the sides of the mountains
there, Rapid City, "The gateway
to the hills," too, is easily under
standable because of Rapid creek,
a swift little mountain stream in
the city. But at such names as
Inyan Kara peak and Lame Johcny
creek, the tourist gasps.
To the Indians, like nearly all
of South Dakota, the Black hills
district"must give credit for the
naming of its principal points of
interest.
Papa Sapa, Paha, hills Sapa,
black, had been named many years
before white men first settled west
of the Missouri river, because of
the black appearance which the
hills have, due to the pines.
I
White Earth,
Bear Butte* a well known peak
near Fort Meade was Mato Paho,
Mato meaning bear and Paha a
mountain or peak.
The Cheyenne river is still
known to some old timers as
Minne Waxta. Similarly the Mis
souri though not Indian was Minne
Shoza, or muddy water.
