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Sitting Bull: A Profile
Name & Titles
Known as Tatanka Iyotake (Tศatศรกลka รyotake), meaning "Buffalo Bull Who Sits Down". Widely recognized as a Hunkpapa Lakota holy man and leader.
Lifespan
Born circa 1831โ1837 near the Grand River, Dakota Territory. Died December 15, 1890, on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, South Dakota, aged 53โ57, 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.
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
- Bridger, Bobby. Buffalo Bill and Sitting Bull: Inventing the Wild West. University of Texas Press, 2002, pp. 270รขยย88
- Dempsey, H. A. (1972). Crowfoot, Chief of the Blackfeet (1st ed.). Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, P. 91
- Reis, Ronald A. Legends of the Wild West: Sitting Bull Infobase Publishing, 2010, pp. 81รขยย82
- Pollack, Eileen. Woman Walking Ahead: In Search of Catherine Weldon and Sitting Bull. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2002
- Richardson, Heather Cox. Wounded Knee: Party Politics and the Road to an American Massacre. New York: Basic Books, 2010
- Matteoni, Norman E. The Struggle between Sitting Bull and Indian Agent James McLaughlin. Guilford CT: 2015
- Dippie, Brian W. The Vanishing American: White Attitudes and U.S. Indian Policy. Middleton, Conn.: Wesleyan University Press, 1982.
- Snider, G.L., A Maker of Shavings, the Life of Edward Forte, Formerly 1st Sergeant, Troop "D", 7th Cavalry, 1936
- Sitting Bull: The Hostile Sioux Indian Chief at the TCM Movie Database
- Annie Oakley at the TCM Movie Database
- Annie Get Your Gun at the TCM Movie Database
- Sitting Bull at the TCM Movie Database
- Into the West at TV Guide
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Important Notice
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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