The Cheyennes (First Americans)

Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve’s updated volume, The Cheyennes, opens the First Americans series for young readers with a respectful and accurate portrait of this Native nation. Volume 1 traces Cheyenne history, from early traditions and the 1825 Friendship Pact through the devastating Sand Creek massacre of 1865 and the sweeping changes brought by westward expansion. Reviewed by a Cheyenne Nation member, the text weaves together past lifeways, cultural practices, and the resilience of the people.

The children’s history book then turns to modern Cheyenne life, offering a balanced look at contemporary communities and ongoing traditions. Sneve, an enrolled Rosebud Sioux author and educator, draws on her own heritage to present multicultural stories that educate without cliché. With sections on biography, United States geography, and cultural change, this nonfiction resource serves classrooms and home libraries seeking authentic Native American representation.