Chief Black Coal

Wo’óoseinee’, known as Chief Black Coal and incorrectly identified as Niawasis in this photo,[1] was among the most influential Arapaho chiefs of his time. Chief Black Coal was able to largely keep the Arapaho at peace with the United States during the Great Sioux war of 1876. He served as a U.S. Army scout and helped the tribe find a home on Wind River.

Wo’óoseinee’, known commonly as Black Coal, (c.1840-1893) was a prominent leader of the Northern Arapaho people during the latter half of the 19th Century. Serving as an intermediary between the Northern Arapaho and the United States, he helped lead the transition from free-roaming life and armed resistance to American expansion, to alliance and eventual settlement alongside the Eastern Shoshone at today's Wind River Indian Reservation.

  1. ^ "Black Coal, Niawasis, chief of Northern Arapahos - Yale University Library".