A Cheyenne Review Magazine Launched at Northern Cheyenne

In April, 2025, a new publication hit the streets of the Northern Cheyenne Reservation and surrounding areas. Soon, the June issue of the glossy, very professional product will be available.

Native Sun News Today (NSNT), a subscriber, had the opportunity to visit with the creator, publisher and editor Clara Caufield about this new journalist endeavor. Caufield has been a long-time correspondent and weekly columnist for NSNT. “It’s a dream long in the making,” she shared. “A magazine devoted to our people, our unique history, culture and language. I don’t think of it as my magazine, rather it belongs to the Northern Cheyenne people.”

Caufield secured some grant support to help get A Cheyenne Review started. The Vocational Rehabilitation Program at Chief Dull Knife College aided with equipment and other start-up costs. “Voc Rehab is a wonderful program serving reservation people with challenges to gain employment or establish businesses. In my case, too many old horse wrecks caught up, leaving me physically unable to do the strenuous physical work of training horses, a livelihood for a long time. I needed a change.”

Clara also applied for a grant from the MT National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) becoming one of a few native NEH fellows in MT. That funding supports historical research, focusing upon the oral tradition. “So much of our history is oral,” the new Publisher commented. “We believe that it is high time we record this information ourselves, while those who are knowledgeable about such matters are still with us. Otherwise, it will be lost and we will only be left with the often-slanted ‘white’ version. Our language and beautiful culture are still vibrant, though a bit weakened by contemporary lifestyles. We need to remind ourselves and the world that we are still here.”

Caufield, commonly known by her Cheyenne name Heveesa’e, (Teeth Woman) on the Reservation, does not portend to be an expert on the subject matter contained in A Cheyenne Review. Rather, she works closely with an Advisory Group of Northern Cheyenne tribal elders, all Cheyenne speakers, some of whom are regular contributors to the magazine. These include: Dr. Richard (Dick) Littlebear (Howling Bird), highly regarded language consultant and a fluent speaker and writer of Cheyenne; Linwood Tall Bull (Young Wolf), plant expert and well-known Cheyenne story-teller and keeper of traditional lore, often called upon to make presentations to area schools, colleges and federal agencies; Mina Seminole (Youngest Girl Child), historical researcher at Chief Dull Knife College; Lenora Wolf Black (Elk Appearing Woman); and Josephine Fire Crow (Little Woman), retired elementary and certified Cheyenne language teacher. In addition, Clara regularly seeks the advice of those who know about and live the “Cheyenne way,” people such as Wallace Bear Chum, Crazy Dog Headsman; Hugh Clubfoot, acknowledged Ceremonial person; Conrad Fisher, drummer singer and well-known expert on Cheyenne history; and Tribal Vice-President Ernest Little Mouth. In addition, Clara notes that Chief Dull Knife College has been extremely helpful, lending IT support and access to their extensive historical archives. This is why A Cheyenne Review is a production by many Northern Cheyenne, and should be referred to as “our” magazine.

The group has set the goal of producing one of the top Indian publications in America. Thus, the magazine is beautifully produced, glossy and in color. “When we were debating costs, Dick said “Let’s make it look really good, like the Cheyenne people.”

Caufield laughed, responding, “It might be a little pricey, but worth it.”

Each issue contains regular sections such as: Cover featuring the art of a Northern Cheyenne artist and information about the artist; poetry section; Publisher’s comments; The Cheyenne Language by Dr. Littlebear; “Indun Cooking” by Mike Runningwolf,

Cheyenne River Sioux; The Plant and Animal section by Linwood and Gus Tallbull; Food Self-sufficiency content; Stories from Oral Tradition; Cheyenne Joke of the Month; Community Events; Economic and Business Development; Book Review; Letters to the Editor section and stories about contemporary events.

A for-profit undertaking, the new business will rely upon advertising, magazine sales and subscriptions. “I have always agreed with the late Tim Giago, one of the greatest Indian journalists ever, that our voices should not be fettered by the government or funding sources,” Caufield noted. “We must maintain freedom of expression.”

Future plans include getting an on-line, digital version, a real challenge for Caufield who calls herself a “technology dummy.” After being interviewed about the new magazine, she will also resume a monthly radio podcast with KGHL, Billings, MT called “News from Cheyenne Country.”

NSNT staff congratulates one of our own for this new journalism development in Indian Country. As Dr. Richard Littlebear said “If you want to know something about Northern Cheyenes, this might be something of interest.” For more information contact Caufield at (406) 477-8156 or at acheyennereview@gmail.com.

The post A Cheyenne Review Magazine Launched at Northern Cheyenne first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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