Greeting in central and north-eastern indigenous language (8)

I believe the answer is:

cheyenne

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'language' is the definition.
(Cheyenne is an example)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for cheyenne that I've seen before include "Wyoming state capital" , "US state capital" , "Native American of Montana or Oklahoma" , "Native American of the western Plains" , "American Indian" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times and The Times.

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