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Sitting Bull

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Sitting Bull Famous memorial Veteran

Original Name
Tatanka Iyotake
Birth
South Dakota, USA
Death
15 Dec 1890 (aged 58–59)
Corson County, South Dakota, USA
Burial
Corson County, South Dakota, USA GPS-Latitude: 45.5168991, Longitude: -100.485199
Memorial ID
View Source
Sioux Indian Leader. His parents named him "Slow" because they did not see anything remarkable about him.

In 1845, when he was 14, he was considered very young to join a war party. However, he was very anxious for a chance to prove himself. As they rest of his party waited for the enemy to approach nearer, he quickly charged towards an enemy on his pony, with the others changing strategy and following his lead. The enemy warriors were so shocked at the boldness of the attack that they retreated. Because his father was so proud of his son's early victory, he gave the name Sitting Bull to his son that the Buffalo God had given him.

In 1856, Sitting Bull killed the chief of the Crows in combat and became the chief of the Strong Hearts Warrior Society. He played an increasing role in the ongoing conflict with Whites that escalated in the 1850s and 1860s. In 1864, he participated in the Battle of Killdeer Mountains and the Battle of the Badlands. In 1865, he fought United States troops in the Battle of Powder River.

The Indians thought of the buffalo as a headstrong, stubborn creature that was afraid of nothing - a creature that has great endurance, courage, and strength. These qualities were fighting qualities that people ascribed to Sitting Bull.

When the Hunkpapa Sioux tribe began losing respect and faith in the chiefs of their tribe, Four Horns decided it was time that a new chief be chosen. In 1867, Sitting Bull was inaugurated as head chief of the Teton Sioux with the belief that he would restore honor and rebuild the people's respect. Well known as an able buffalo hunter and a brave warrior who led charges against enemies, he was a popular figure within the camp. He also had a reputation as a peacemaker, settling disputes among his people.

Sitting Bull felt for the poor and weak people of his tribe and showed his compassion by sharing food and even giving away his horses. He was also a sociable man who always had a good story or joke ready for those who would listen. Being extremely religious, it was said that Sitting Bull received everything he prayed for, and his gift of prophecy was uncanny.

In 1868, he showed his leadership by negotiating the Treaty of Laramie with Father Pierre Jeane DeSmet. Violations of that treaty, and increasing White encroachment into Indian lands prompted Sitting Bull to assemble a force of Plain Indians in 1876 and prepare for war against the United States Army. Prior to the most significant fighting, he performed the outlawed Sun Dance ritual and prophesied the subsequent victory over General George Cook in the Battle of the Rosebud and the defeat of General George Armstrong Custer in the Battle of Little Bighorn.

Meeting with Colonel Nelson Miles after the battles, he took his people to Canada in 1877 under an agreement with the United States Government in 1877. Some Americans objected to his exile and called for his extradition. In 1878, he again met with a United States Commission, but refused to leave Canada.

By 1881, insolated from his people in the United States and receiving no humanitarian aid from the Canadian Government, he returned with his people to the United States and surrendered at Fort Buford in the Dakota Territory. Between the years of 1881 to 1883, he was held in confinement at Fort Randall. During his confinement, he made a deal with William "Buffalo Bill" Cody to perform in Cody's traveling "Wild West Show." After touring from 1883 to 1885, he once again returned with his people to the United States and Canada.

Arguments with the Government continued, and, in 1888, he resisted the proposed breakup of the Great Sioux Reservation. In 1889, he attempted, unsuccessfully, to block cession of land to the government. In 1890, during an attempted arrest, he was killed by the Standing Rock Indian police, two weeks before the massacre at Wounded Knee Creek in South Dakota.
Sioux Indian Leader. His parents named him "Slow" because they did not see anything remarkable about him.

In 1845, when he was 14, he was considered very young to join a war party. However, he was very anxious for a chance to prove himself. As they rest of his party waited for the enemy to approach nearer, he quickly charged towards an enemy on his pony, with the others changing strategy and following his lead. The enemy warriors were so shocked at the boldness of the attack that they retreated. Because his father was so proud of his son's early victory, he gave the name Sitting Bull to his son that the Buffalo God had given him.

In 1856, Sitting Bull killed the chief of the Crows in combat and became the chief of the Strong Hearts Warrior Society. He played an increasing role in the ongoing conflict with Whites that escalated in the 1850s and 1860s. In 1864, he participated in the Battle of Killdeer Mountains and the Battle of the Badlands. In 1865, he fought United States troops in the Battle of Powder River.

The Indians thought of the buffalo as a headstrong, stubborn creature that was afraid of nothing - a creature that has great endurance, courage, and strength. These qualities were fighting qualities that people ascribed to Sitting Bull.

When the Hunkpapa Sioux tribe began losing respect and faith in the chiefs of their tribe, Four Horns decided it was time that a new chief be chosen. In 1867, Sitting Bull was inaugurated as head chief of the Teton Sioux with the belief that he would restore honor and rebuild the people's respect. Well known as an able buffalo hunter and a brave warrior who led charges against enemies, he was a popular figure within the camp. He also had a reputation as a peacemaker, settling disputes among his people.

Sitting Bull felt for the poor and weak people of his tribe and showed his compassion by sharing food and even giving away his horses. He was also a sociable man who always had a good story or joke ready for those who would listen. Being extremely religious, it was said that Sitting Bull received everything he prayed for, and his gift of prophecy was uncanny.

In 1868, he showed his leadership by negotiating the Treaty of Laramie with Father Pierre Jeane DeSmet. Violations of that treaty, and increasing White encroachment into Indian lands prompted Sitting Bull to assemble a force of Plain Indians in 1876 and prepare for war against the United States Army. Prior to the most significant fighting, he performed the outlawed Sun Dance ritual and prophesied the subsequent victory over General George Cook in the Battle of the Rosebud and the defeat of General George Armstrong Custer in the Battle of Little Bighorn.

Meeting with Colonel Nelson Miles after the battles, he took his people to Canada in 1877 under an agreement with the United States Government in 1877. Some Americans objected to his exile and called for his extradition. In 1878, he again met with a United States Commission, but refused to leave Canada.

By 1881, insolated from his people in the United States and receiving no humanitarian aid from the Canadian Government, he returned with his people to the United States and surrendered at Fort Buford in the Dakota Territory. Between the years of 1881 to 1883, he was held in confinement at Fort Randall. During his confinement, he made a deal with William "Buffalo Bill" Cody to perform in Cody's traveling "Wild West Show." After touring from 1883 to 1885, he once again returned with his people to the United States and Canada.

Arguments with the Government continued, and, in 1888, he resisted the proposed breakup of the Great Sioux Reservation. In 1889, he attempted, unsuccessfully, to block cession of land to the government. In 1890, during an attempted arrest, he was killed by the Standing Rock Indian police, two weeks before the massacre at Wounded Knee Creek in South Dakota.

Bio by: K M



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  • Maintained by: Find a Grave
  • Added: Apr 25, 1998
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/955/sitting_bull: accessed ), memorial page for Sitting Bull (1831–15 Dec 1890), Find a Grave Memorial ID 955, citing Sitting Bull Monument, Corson County, South Dakota, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.