Unveiling the Legend of Sitting Bull: Native American Iconic Warrior
Article
Sitting Bull: The Legend of the Lakota Chief
Sitting Bull opens his eyes. Above him is the clear sky, and the faces of his people looking down. He is bleeding, exhausted, in excruciating pain. The blood loss has made him pass out for two days. He has performed the annual Sun Dance, looking for guidance from the Great Spirit. He has been made War Chief of the Lakota. White invaders have come seeking gold in the sacred Black Hills in violation of treaties, and Blue Coat Cavalry are on their way, sworn to kill any Lakota refusing to live on reservations. In acts of sacrifice and endurance, Sitting Bull has fasted for days while dancing and cut 100 pieces of flesh from his arms. But when he'd lost consciousness, that's when the vision came. Blue Coats falling from the sky like grasshoppers. Upside down, their hats tumbling from their heads, falling into the Lakota camp. It prophesies a great victory. A victory that will come within days, beside a river called the Little Bighorn. If you'd like to see the next episode of this Sitting Bull series, immediately after watching this one, a full week early, you can do that on Nebula. Learn how after the episode.
Introduction
Sitting Bull. His name stirs up images of the Great Plains, of Custer's last stand, of a grizzled chief in a war bonnet. And that's really no wonder, for Sitting Bull was a titan, a man who achieved legendary status within his own lifetime and became one of the most photographed men of his era. A figure who became internationally known for his victory at Little Bighorn, who rocked America to its core, and defined the image of a Native American. He was also a man whose stubborn resistance to subjugation, even to his death, remains a powerful symbol to Indigenous movements. A man so great that the government, who later killed him, put him on their postage stamp. But that future seemed a remote one born in what is now South Dakota or possibly Montana, between 1831 and 1837.
Early Life and Leadership
His father was a chief of the Hunkpapa Lakota, as were two of his uncles, meaning he had much to live up to, and he didn't start as Sitting Bull, that was originally his father's name. Instead, he was known as Jumping Badger. However, soon his careful and considered nature, weighing options and thinking before he acted, ensured that everyone called him by the inglorious nickname of Slow. Jumping Badger wouldn't have to live with that handle for long, though, for he would have ample opportunity to prove himself as a warrior. For the Lakota prided themselves on their warrior culture with its virtues of bravery, fortitude, generosity, and wisdom. And for constantly fighting enemies, though perhaps not the enemies you immediately imagine, because while later he would become famous for fighting the US Cavalry, Young Jumping Badger's early years were spent fighting the Lakota's traditional enemies, other Native Americans, particularly the Crow people.
The Rise of the Lakota Nation
In the first two decades of Jumping Badger's life, the Lakota were in an odd transitional position. A century before his birth, they had been agriculturalists who hunted and fished to supplement their diet, but then the Cheyenne had given them something that totally changed their life: Horses brought by European colonists. Now mounted, the Lakota could take up what was known as horse culture, a way of life that involved following the enormous herds of buffalo. And the buffalo gave them most of what they needed, from meat to furs, to skin for their tents, cured and made weatherproof by a concoction made from the buffalo's brain. Firearms, another import from settlers, also made hunting buffalo even easier. Though, when Jumping Badger killed his first buffalo at the age of 10, he did so with a bow and arrow, but he was 14 when he gained the name he would use for the rest of his life. In an attack on a group of Crow warriors, he managed to count coup. To ride up and touch an enemy in combat, then escape unharmed, shaming him. It was one of the bravest acts a Lakota warrior could accomplish. So when they returned to camp, his father, who had also distinguished himself that day, announced that he would take the new name of Jumping Bull. To his son, he bestowed an eagle feather and his former name of Buffalo Bull Who Sits Down. A name that emphasized both pride and a dogged determination not to be moved. A name frequently shortened by outsiders to Sitting Bull. It was a fitting name.
The Rise of a Legend
Sitting Bull would go on to win fame for his valor in war. Carrying a shield made by his father, he battled warriors from rival groups with a determination equal to his new name. Once when challenging a Crow Chief to single combat, that very shield saved his life, deflecting a bullet into his foot before he killed the rival hand to hand. Soon he was a member of both the Kit Fox Warrior Society and the Midnight Strong Heart Society, two of the most prestigious warrior groups in the Lakota. And such was his fame that Lakota warriors would supposedly charge their enemies while shouting, "I'm Sitting Bull," as an intimidation tactic. Before long, he was named the leader of the Strong Hearts. His reputation as a medicine man also grew. For from childhood, he'd had visions. When Sitting Bull dreamed of rain, the skies would open. His predictions came true. During the annual Sun Dance, he was also among the warriors who would cut themselves or even thread chords through the muscle of their chests and hang from the central pole, a feat of endurance to bring favor on his community. And increasingly, he took on more leadership roles. However, it should be noted that in Lakota terms, being a leader meant something different. Warriors made decisions for themselves, both in war and peace. Meaning to be a leader was simply to have enough clout that others would follow you out of respect or inspiration, but not duty. If a chief decided to declare war, for instance, and a band considered it ill-advised, that group was free to leave and join another village that advocated peace.
The Threat of Settlers
Yet unsettled times were approaching for the Lakota. For decades, they'd heard rumors about settler expansion into the Southern Plains, railways crossing the country, and the terrible slaughter of the buffalo. But all that too still seemed far away. Similarly, their nomadic lifestyle had somewhat mitigated the impact of epidemic diseases. In fact, though certainly diminished, the Lakota were among the few tribes whose population grew in the 19th century. By the 1850s, however, these problems were on their doorstep. Increasingly, settlers came from the east and the US government approached the Lakota and other Plains Tribes, pushing them to sign treaties that defined territory. Some of these, like the 1851 Fort Laramie Treaty, designated areas like the sacred Black Hills to be reserved for the Lakota. But others heavily restricted tribes to pieces of reservation land, often called agencies. Paramount among the government's concerns was that the tribe also give up their nomadic way of life, following the buffalo, whose herds were already starting to thin.
The Battle for Freedom
Easily killed en masse with rifles, the settlers mostly only used the tender meat of the buffalo's tongue and left the rest to rot. Often they shot the animal for no other reason other than the pleasure of it, and sometimes even from moving trains. In fact, buffalo bones littered some planes, so heavily that train passengers often mistook it for snow. These treaties promised the Lakota, Cheyenne, Crow, and other tribes that if they settled on the agencies, the government would give them food and medicine in return. And with the increasing depletion of the buffalo, a certain faction of the Lakota argued that this might be the best deal they could get. While others argued they could stay on the agency in winter, when nomadic life was hardest, then slip out and follow the buffalo in the summer. Accommodation and trade would get them more than active resistance, they argued. But Sitting Bull did not trust these promises, nor any accommodation. He chose resistance. And resist he must for the Blue Coats were coming, the Badlands, Dakota Territory.
The Battle of Killdeer Mountain
On August 9th, 1864, Sitting Bull found himself leading his village in an unexpected conflict. The White settlers had been attacked and killed by another band of Lakota, but it was Sitting Bull's village that became the target of the Blue Coat retaliation. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, Sitting Bull led his warriors in a courageous defense. They charged the Blue Coat line on horseback, taking terrible casualties from artillery but slowing the army's advance, which allowed the women, children, and elderly to escape. Through a series of ambushes and strategic retreats, Sitting Bull was able to exhaust the Blue Coats both physically and mentally. The expedition was ultimately deemed a failure, and the Blue Coats retreated, declaring victory. This battle, known as the Battle of Killdeer Mountain, marked the beginning of Sitting Bull's legendary resistance against the encroaching forces of the United States government.
The Great Sioux War
Sitting Bull's defiance and refusal to submit to the authority of the US government ignited a flame of resistance among the Lakota and other Plains tribes. Over the next decade, tensions escalated, leading to what is known as the Great Sioux War. In 1876, Sitting Bull, along with other tribal leaders such as Crazy Horse, played a pivotal role in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, also known as Custer's Last Stand. The Lakota and their allies decisively defeated General George Custer and his 7th Cavalry, marking a significant victory for Native American resistance. However, this victory would be short-lived, as the US government launched a retaliatory campaign against the Lakota, aggressively pursuing them and forcing them onto reservations.
The Legacy of Sitting Bull
Sitting Bull's legacy extends far beyond his military victories. He symbolizes the strength, resilience, and defiance of Indigenous peoples in the face of colonization and oppression. His refusal to surrender and his determination to protect his people's way of life made him an icon, not just among Native Americans, but among people around the world. Sitting Bull's life and leadership continue to inspire and invigorate Indigenous movements to this day, serving as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and sovereignty.
Highlights
- Sitting Bull was a legendary Lakota chief and a symbol of Indigenous resistance.
- He earned his reputation as a warrior through acts of bravery and leadership.
- Sitting Bull's defiance against the encroachment of settlers and the US government ignited the Great Sioux War.
- He played a pivotal role in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, a major victory for Native American resistance.
- Sitting Bull's legacy represents the strength and resilience of Indigenous peoples.
FAQ
Q: Why is Sitting Bull famous?
A: Sitting Bull is famous for his leadership and bravery in resisting the encroachment of settlers and the US government on Lakota lands. He played a pivotal role in the Battle of Little Bighorn, where his forces defeated General Custer and the 7th Cavalry.
Q: What is the significance of the Battle of Little Bighorn?
A: The Battle of Little Bighorn, also known as Custer's Last Stand, was a major victory for Native American resistance against US forces. Sitting Bull and his allies decisively defeated General Custer and his troops, briefly halting the westward expansion of settlers.
Q: What is the legacy of Sitting Bull?
A: Sitting Bull's legacy extends beyond his military victories. He symbolizes the strength, resilience, and defiance of Indigenous peoples in the face of colonization and oppression. His refusal to surrender and his determined efforts to protect his people's way of life make him an icon of Indigenous resistance.
Q: How did Sitting Bull's leadership inspire others?
A: Sitting Bull's leadership inspired other Native American tribes to join the resistance against the encroachment of settlers and the US government. His reputation for courage and strategic thinking inspired both fear and admiration among his enemies, and his actions continue to inspire Indigenous movements to this day.
Q: What were some of Sitting Bull's major accomplishments?
A: Sitting Bull's major accomplishments include his leadership in the Battle of Little Bighorn, his role as a symbol of Indigenous resistance, and his determination to protect the Lakota way of life. He remains one of the most well-known and revered Native American leaders in history.
