MANDAN etymology

[Koontz John E]

On Tue, 3 Aug 1999, Alan H. Hartley wrote:
> Alexander Henry the Younger (1809, _Journal_ (1992) 393) records
> "Saiwahtoukta" as the Assiniboine name for the Mandans. (Can anyone
> analyse it?) This name argues against an A. origin for the English name,
> at least in Henry's time.

Buechel gives Hewaktokta 'Arikara'.

> Riggs (1893, _Dakota Grammar_ 192) says: "Both the Hidatsa and Mandan
> belong to the Siouan or Dakotan family. Whether it is from the common
> likeness to the tongue of their enemies, or for some other reason, it is
> a remarkable fact that many persons of each tribe can speak Dakota."

It comes from the Missouri River groups acting as middlemen in an
extensive trading network.