American Legends: The Life of Sitting Bull - A Native American Icon

Native American history is rich with powerful figures who have left an indelible mark on the American landscape. One such figure is Sitting Bull, a legendary Lakota Sioux warrior and chief. Sitting Bull's life is a testament to the resilience and bravery of Native American tribes, and his story continues to inspire and educate people around the world.

Early Life and Tribal Roots

Sitting Bull, also known as Tatanka Iyotanka, was born into the Hunkpapa division of the Lakota Sioux tribe in what is now known as South Dakota. His birth year is believed to be around 1831, and he was considered a powerful medicine man even from a young age. Growing up in a traditional Lakota society, Sitting Bull learned the ways of his people and became well-versed in their customs, spirituality, and hunting techniques.

The Lakota Sioux were a nomadic tribe who roamed the Great Plains, following the buffalo herds for sustenance. Sitting Bull quickly mastered the skill of hunting buffalo, which was essential for the survival of the tribe. His exceptional prowess with a bow and arrow earned him both respect and admiration within the community.

American Legends: The Life of Sitting Bull

by Oliver Kent (Kindle Edition)

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Rise to Leadership

Sitting Bull's leadership abilities became evident during his teenage years when he participated in battles against rival tribes, such as the Crow and the Shoshone. His warrior skills and strategic thinking allowed him to rise through the ranks and become a respected leader within the Lakota Sioux tribe.

However, Sitting Bull's true place in history was solidified in 1868 during the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Faced with encroachment from white settlers and the U.S. government, Sitting Bull united various tribes, including the Cheyenne and Arapaho, to resist the relentless expansion into their ancestral lands.

Under Sitting Bull's leadership, the Lakota Sioux tribe and their allies decisively defeated General George Custer and his troops, inflicting a significant blow to the U.S. Army's efforts to control the Native American territories. This victory catapulted Sitting Bull into the national spotlight and made him a symbol of Native American resistance.

Challenges and Exile

Despite his triumph in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Sitting Bull faced numerous challenges in the years that followed. The U.S. government intensified its efforts to subdue Native American tribes and force them onto reservations. Sitting Bull became a primary target, as his influence and popularity posed a threat to the government's agenda.

In 1876, the government ordered Sitting Bull's arrest for his involvement in various battles and uprisings. However, instead of surrendering, he led his people into exile in Canada, where they hoped to find safe haven. For several years, Sitting Bull and his followers lived in precarious conditions, constantly evading capture and struggling to survive.

Return and Legacy

In 1881, after years of hardship, Sitting Bull and his band of followers decided to surrender to the U.S. government. They returned to the United States, where they faced severe restrictions and were confined to reservations. Despite his captivity, Sitting Bull continued to advocate for Native American rights and sovereignty. He traveled extensively, speaking out against the injustices inflicted upon his people.

Sadly, Sitting Bull's life came to a tragic end on December 15, 1890. Fearing his influence and involvement in the Ghost Dance movement, U.S. authorities attempted to arrest Sitting Bull. In the ensuing chaos, Sitting Bull was fatally shot, marking the end of a remarkable life dedicated to defending Native American rights.

Sitting Bull's legacy endures to this day. He is remembered as a fearless leader who fought tirelessly for the rights of his people. His unwavering determination and the ability to unite various tribes against a common enemy have made him an icon of Native American resistance and strength.

In

Sitting Bull stands as a testament to the rich and complex history of Native Americans. His life reflects the challenges faced by indigenous tribes during a time of immense change and upheaval. Sitting Bull's story highlights the resilience, bravery, and unwavering spirit of Native American cultures, inspiring people to recognize and appreciate the contributions of indigenous populations to American history and society.

Despite the injustices he endured and the tragic end to his life, Sitting Bull remains an enduring symbol of Native American pride and resilience. His legend continues to inspire generations, and his name will forever be associated with the struggles and triumphs of indigenous peoples.

American Legends: The Life of Sitting Bull

by Oliver Kent (Kindle Edition)

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1431 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	36 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

• Includes pictures of Sitting Bull and important people and places in his life.
• Explains the Battle of the Little Bighorn and several Lakota oral legends.
• Includes a Table of Contents

"When I was a boy the Sioux owned the world. The sun rose and set on their land; they sent ten thousand men to battle. Where are the warriors today? Who slew them? Where are our lands? Who owns them? Is it wrong for me to love my own? Is it wicked for me because my skin is red? Because I am Sioux? Because I was born where my father lived? Because I would die for my people and my country?" - Sitting Bull

A lot of ink has been spilled covering the lives of history's most influential figures, but how much of the forest is lost for the trees? In Charles River Editors' American Legends series, readers can get caught up to speed on the lives of America's most important men and women in the time it takes to finish a commute, while learning interesting facts long forgotten or never known.

In 1872, during a fight along the Yellowstone River between U.S. troops protecting railroad workers and Sioux warriors, one of the Sioux did something both unusual and inspiring. At the height of the battle, with bullets whizzing all around him, this warrior sat down, loaded his cannupa (sacred pipe), and began to smoke, partaking in his people's religious sacrament. For the Sioux, smoking a pipe was akin to praying, and the smoke, wafting up through to the heavens, represented those prayers as they floated up to Wakan Tanka, the "god" of the Native Americans who occupied the North American Plains. Wakan Tanka is not the name of their god but rather a description, for the words literally mean "Great Mystery." The Sioux warrior continued smoking until done with his pipe, and after carefully reaming and cleaning out the pipe, he rose to his feet, and rejoined the battle.

Of course, it was not that battle which made Sitting Bull one of the most famous Native Americans in American history. Like Geronimo in the Southwest during the same era, Sitting Bull was a warrior who fought in several skirmishes against settlers and U.S. forces across the Plains during the 1860s, and while it is still debated whether he was the "Supreme Chief of the whole Sioux Nation" by 1868, it's clear that he was one of the influential leaders of the Lakota. And when The Great Sioux War of 1876 began, Sitting Bull was recognized as the most important leader among all Native American tribes on the Plains, and the one to turn to for those who intended to keep fighting whites.

Sitting Bull ensured he would become a legend at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, during which an estimated 2,000 Lakota and Cheyenne warriors inspired by one of his visions routed and then annihilated the 7th U.S. Cavalry led by George Custer. That disaster led the American government to double down on its efforts to "pacify" the Sioux, and by the end of the decade many of them had surrendered and been moved onto a reservation. Sitting Bull defiantly refused to surrender, instead heading with a smaller band into Canada and remaining exiled.

When he finally surrendered to the U.S. in 1881, he was a celebrity of sorts, and Sitting Bull went on to appear in Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show during the decade. Not surprisingly, his death was as controversial as his life; in 1890 Sitting Bull was killed on a reservation after plans to arrest him went terribly awry, leading to fighting in the aftermath that left over a dozen dead.
American Legends: The Life of Sitting Bull chronicles the amazing life of the Sioux leader who defiantly fought to save his people's homeland, but it also humanizes the man who became one of the most famous Native Americans in American history. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Sitting Bull like you never have before, in no time at all.