Early History
The Lakota Sioux tribe moved west to the Great Plains in the late eighteenth century. Prior to their move to the west, the Lakota were a part of the Dakota tribe that resided in the Minnesota area and made a living as woodland farmers. Warfare with the Ojibway forced the Dakota to divide into three groups, one of which was the Lakota. After the tribal division and the move west, the Lakota lifestyle changed drastically. They needed the buffalo year round to supply shelter, weaponry, food, clothing, and household objects. In order to keep up with the annual migration patterns of the buffalo herds, they traded with neighboring tribes for horses. The Lakota had alliances with their brother tribes the Dakota and Nakota, as well as the Northern Cheyenne and Northern Arapaho.
These early years in the west are occasionally referred to as the tribe’s “Golden Age”.
These early years in the west are occasionally referred to as the tribe’s “Golden Age”.
Famous Lakota
Chief Sitting Bull
The most well known Lakota Sioux Indian in history is Sitting Bull. Born in 1831 near the Grand River, Sitting Bull was originally named Jumping Badger with the nickname of ‘Slow’. Demonstrating courage in battle against the Crows, his father gave him the name of Sitting Bull at age fourteen. Over the years, Sitting Bull became widely known among his own people as an exceptional warrior, chief, and medicine man. The white men of the area knew him for his appearances in Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West show, as well as his persistent resistance to U.S. Government policies that were detrimental to his people. A specific incident is the Battle of Little Bighorn. After the discovery of gold in the black hills region, the U.S. ordered all Indian tribes off the area. Sitting Bull refused to leave his lands, and united with Crazy Horse, another Indian chief, and combining forces, traveled to the Little Bighorn region. Shortly before, Sitting Bull had a series of visions about a great victory against the white man. On June 25, 1876 Sitting Bull’s visions came true with the conglomeration of Indian tribes being massively victorious against the U.S. troops, killing General George Custer and all his men. Unfortunately, soon after Sitting Bull was killed during his arrest by government officials, an event he also foresaw in a vision.
The most well known Lakota Sioux Indian in history is Sitting Bull. Born in 1831 near the Grand River, Sitting Bull was originally named Jumping Badger with the nickname of ‘Slow’. Demonstrating courage in battle against the Crows, his father gave him the name of Sitting Bull at age fourteen. Over the years, Sitting Bull became widely known among his own people as an exceptional warrior, chief, and medicine man. The white men of the area knew him for his appearances in Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West show, as well as his persistent resistance to U.S. Government policies that were detrimental to his people. A specific incident is the Battle of Little Bighorn. After the discovery of gold in the black hills region, the U.S. ordered all Indian tribes off the area. Sitting Bull refused to leave his lands, and united with Crazy Horse, another Indian chief, and combining forces, traveled to the Little Bighorn region. Shortly before, Sitting Bull had a series of visions about a great victory against the white man. On June 25, 1876 Sitting Bull’s visions came true with the conglomeration of Indian tribes being massively victorious against the U.S. troops, killing General George Custer and all his men. Unfortunately, soon after Sitting Bull was killed during his arrest by government officials, an event he also foresaw in a vision.
Conflicts with Government
Massacre at WOunded Knee
As a people, the Lakota are fiercely loyal to their culture and established customs. They were strongly averse any U.S. Government intervention, even more so to any imposition of American culture. This attitude caused tension between the U.S. and the Lakota leading to many battles. A specific incident between the Lakota and U.S. Government is the massacre at Wounded Knee. A Paiute tribe holy man had a vision about a new religion called Ghost Dance, which predicted the resurrection of the dead, revival of the buffalo, and extinction of the white man. Fearing the potential influence the unity Ghost Dance would bring about, the U.S. Government banned the religion. However, many Indians continued to practice Ghost Dance. Attempting to avoid violence, Chief Big Foot led his people toward a reservation near Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Unbeknownst to Big Foot, The U.S. had already ordered his arrest and an army pursued the Big Foot and his followers. Settling for the night at Wounded Knee Creek, the group of Indians were flying the white flag as a symbol of peace as troops of the Seventh Cavalry surrounded them on all sides. The soldiers massacred around three hundred Lakota. Bodies of women, children, and infants could be found strewn around a three mile radius of the site. The bodies that weren’t discreetly claimed by relatives were piled into a mass grave. This heinous act of violence towards the Lakota only further cemented the already deteriorated relationship between the Lakota Tribe and the United States Government.
As a people, the Lakota are fiercely loyal to their culture and established customs. They were strongly averse any U.S. Government intervention, even more so to any imposition of American culture. This attitude caused tension between the U.S. and the Lakota leading to many battles. A specific incident between the Lakota and U.S. Government is the massacre at Wounded Knee. A Paiute tribe holy man had a vision about a new religion called Ghost Dance, which predicted the resurrection of the dead, revival of the buffalo, and extinction of the white man. Fearing the potential influence the unity Ghost Dance would bring about, the U.S. Government banned the religion. However, many Indians continued to practice Ghost Dance. Attempting to avoid violence, Chief Big Foot led his people toward a reservation near Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Unbeknownst to Big Foot, The U.S. had already ordered his arrest and an army pursued the Big Foot and his followers. Settling for the night at Wounded Knee Creek, the group of Indians were flying the white flag as a symbol of peace as troops of the Seventh Cavalry surrounded them on all sides. The soldiers massacred around three hundred Lakota. Bodies of women, children, and infants could be found strewn around a three mile radius of the site. The bodies that weren’t discreetly claimed by relatives were piled into a mass grave. This heinous act of violence towards the Lakota only further cemented the already deteriorated relationship between the Lakota Tribe and the United States Government.
Culture Clash
Settlement of the West
The Lakota Sioux are a perfect example of the key theme settlement of the west. Often romanticized, the settlement of the west was in fact a bloody and in many ways selfish conquest for natural resources. Pre-settlement, the Lakota lifestyle was not necessarily peaceful, but it was functional and has an equal right to flourish as the American lifestyle. Whenever two different cultures come together, there is bound to be misunderstandings, especially two cultures as strong as the Lakota and American. However, that doesn’t give one the right to mistreat or be violent toward the other. The Battle of Little Bighorn, Massacre at Wounded Knee, even mistreatment of Lakotas during treaty negotiation, are all examples not only of the American attitude toward the Lakota, but all Indians in general: they didn’t care.
Closing Thoughts
This particular group interests me because of their fervent resistance to the oppression of the U.S. Government. From Chief Sitting Bull, who was such a dynamic and devoted leader, to the warriors who supported him, the tribal unity, ferocity, and dedication to ideals is very striking to me. Their resistance continues on to present day, in 1980 after being offered $105 million for the wrongful taking of their lands, the Lakota refused. They insist on being granted their rightful lands. In general, they Lakota are a fascinating group of people with an established history of both violence and achievement.