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Tatanka Iyotake

The Enduring Legacy of a Hunkpapa Lakota Leader

His Early Life ๐Ÿ‘‡ His Legacy ๐ŸŒŸ

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Sitting Bull: A Profile

Name & Titles

Known as Tatanka Iyotake (TศŸatศŸรกล‹ka รyotake), meaning "Buffalo Bull Who Sits Down". Widely recognized as a Hunkpapa Lakota holy man and leader.

Lifespan

Born circa 1831โ€“1837 near the Grand River, Dakota Territory. Died December 15, 1890, on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, South Dakota, aged 53โ€“57, from a gunshot wound.

Known For

Leading his people during years of resistance against United States government policies, notably inspiring the Lakota at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Family

Married multiple times, including Light Hair, Four-Robes-Woman, and Snow-on-Her. Fathered several children, including Crow Foot and William Sitting Bull (Runs-away-from-him).

Early Life and Rise

Birth and Naming

Born between 1831 and 1837, likely along the Yellowstone River. Initially named Jumping Badger, he earned the name Tatanka Iyotake ("Buffalo Bull Who Sits Down") after bravely counting coup on a Crow warrior, signifying his passage into manhood and warrior status.

Early Conflicts

Participated in raids and skirmishes from a young age. In 1864, he was wounded in the hip during a battle against General Alfred Sully's troops, an event that did not deter his continued resistance.

Red Cloud's War

From 1866 to 1868, Sitting Bull supported Red Cloud's War, leading numerous attacks against U.S. forts and survey parties in the Powder River Country. He notably refused to sign the Treaty of Fort Laramie (1868), asserting his intent to protect Lakota lands.

The Great Sioux War

Gold Rush and Treaty Violations

The discovery of gold in the Black Hills in 1874, following Lt. Col. Custer's expedition, triggered a gold rush and intensified conflict. The U.S. government sought to circumvent the Treaty of Fort Laramie, pressuring the Lakota to move onto reservations, which Sitting Bull resisted.

Escalating Tensions

In early 1876, the government declared bands living off-reservation as "hostiles," authorizing military pursuit. This led to a convergence of Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho peoples at Sitting Bull's camp, creating a large, unified village estimated at over 10,000 people.

Spiritual Leadership

Prior to the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Sitting Bull performed a Sun Dance, involving fasting and self-sacrifice, demonstrating his spiritual leadership. He foresaw a Lakota victory where many soldiers would fall.

Battle of the Little Bighorn

Encounter at the Greasy Grass

On June 25, 1876, Custer's 7th Cavalry encountered Sitting Bull's large encampment along the Little Bighorn River (the Greasy Grass River to the Lakota).

Lakota Victory

While Sitting Bull acted primarily as a spiritual leader, his followers, led by Crazy Horse, counterattacked Custer's forces. The battle resulted in a decisive victory for the Lakota and Cheyenne, annihilating Custer's immediate command.

Aftermath

The victory, though significant, led to increased U.S. military pressure. Facing overwhelming force, Sitting Bull led his band into exile in Canada for four years, refusing offers of pardon until conditions forced his return.

Surrender and Captivity

Return to U.S. Territory

In July 1881, due to hardship and starvation, Sitting Bull and 186 followers surrendered at Fort Buford. He famously stated his desire to be remembered as the last to surrender his rifle.

Prisoner of War

Initially held separately at Fort Yates, then transferred to Fort Randall as prisoners of war for 20 months. They were allowed to return to Standing Rock Agency in May 1883, but remained under close scrutiny.

Wild West and Cultural Exchange

Buffalo Bill's Show

In 1885, Sitting Bull joined Buffalo Bill Cody's "Wild West" show, becoming a popular attraction. He earned money by selling autographs and photographs, often distributing the funds to those in need.

Mutual Respect

During this period, Sitting Bull developed a mutual respect with sharpshooter Annie Oakley, symbolically adopting her as a daughter and naming her "Little Sure Shot." He also reportedly delivered speeches advocating for education and improved relations.

The Ghost Dance Movement

Spiritual Revival

In 1889, a spiritual movement known as the Ghost Dance spread among the Sioux, preaching resurrection and the return of buffalo herds. Sitting Bull allowed the dancers to gather at his camp, viewing him as a central figure.

Growing Alarm

The movement, including the belief in "ghost shirts" offering protection, caused alarm among white settlers and authorities. This heightened suspicion contributed to the events leading to his death.

Tragic End

Attempted Arrest

Fearing Sitting Bull's influence over the Ghost Dance movement, Indian agent James McLaughlin ordered his arrest on December 15, 1890. The arrest attempt escalated into a confrontation.

Fatal Confrontation

During the struggle, Sitting Bull was shot by Lakota police officers Lieutenant Bull Head and Red Tomahawk. He died later that day, along with several others in the ensuing fight.

Burial and Reinterment

Initially buried at Fort Yates, his remains were reportedly exhumed in 1953 by family members and reburied near his birthplace in Mobridge, South Dakota.

Enduring Legacy

Cultural Icon

Sitting Bull's cabin was exhibited at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. He has been honored with a U.S. postage stamp and had a college named after him, recognizing his significance.

Symbol of Resistance

He remains a powerful symbol of Native American resistance against oppression and a figure celebrated for his leadership and spiritual strength in the face of immense cultural change.

Ongoing Study

His life and legacy continue to be studied, including efforts to sequence his genome using historical samples, underscoring his lasting impact on history and culture.

Representation in Culture

Film and Media

Sitting Bull has been portrayed in numerous films, documentaries, and television series, reflecting evolving perspectives on his life and the history of the American West.

  • Films like Annie Get Your Gun (1950) and Buffalo Bill and the Indians (1976).
  • Miniseries such as Into the West (2005) and Woman Walks Ahead (2017).
  • Documentaries and historical dramas highlighting his role.

Modern Influence

His image and influence extend into modern culture, appearing in video games like Civilization IV and recognized in children's literature, such as President Obama's book, Of Thee I Sing.

Sources

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References

References

  1.  Bridger, Bobby. Buffalo Bill and Sitting Bull: Inventing the Wild West. University of Texas Press, 2002, pp. 270รขย€ย“88
  2.  Dempsey, H. A. (1972). Crowfoot, Chief of the Blackfeet (1st ed.). Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, P. 91
  3.  Reis, Ronald A. Legends of the Wild West: Sitting Bull Infobase Publishing, 2010, pp. 81รขย€ย“82
  4.  Pollack, Eileen. Woman Walking Ahead: In Search of Catherine Weldon and Sitting Bull. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2002
  5.  Richardson, Heather Cox. Wounded Knee: Party Politics and the Road to an American Massacre. New York: Basic Books, 2010
  6.  Matteoni, Norman E. The Struggle between Sitting Bull and Indian Agent James McLaughlin. Guilford CT: 2015
  7.  Dippie, Brian W. The Vanishing American: White Attitudes and U.S. Indian Policy. Middleton, Conn.: Wesleyan University Press, 1982.
  8.  Snider, G.L., A Maker of Shavings, the Life of Edward Forte, Formerly 1st Sergeant, Troop "D", 7th Cavalry, 1936
  9.  Sitting Bull: The Hostile Sioux Indian Chief at the TCM Movie Database
  10.  Annie Oakley at the TCM Movie Database
  11.  Annie Get Your Gun at the TCM Movie Database
  12.  Sitting Bull at the TCM Movie Database
  13.  Into the West at TV Guide
A full list of references for this article are available at the Sitting Bull Wikipedia page

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This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

Historical Context Advisory: This content discusses historical events involving significant cultural conflict and violence. While presented factually based on the source, it is essential to approach this history with sensitivity and an understanding of the complex perspectives involved.

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