The life and tragic death of Sitting Bull
Sitting Bull, a Native American leader, symbolised resistance to white settlers and US government oppression. Discover more about his life and legacy.
Image: Sitting Bull | Public Domain
Perhaps most famous for his role in the Battle of Little Bighorn, Sitting Bull was a chief of the Lakota (Sioux) tribe in the 19th century. He played a key part of their resistance against the incursion of white settlers.
His ability to unify the Native American peoples and motivate them to fight back against the might of the US government army has made him a hugely significant figure from American history. That his death came at the hands of his own kind makes his story all the more tragic.
Want to learn more about the inspiring story of this iconic chief of the Lakota people? Sky HISTORY’s got you covered – read on for everything you need to know.
Early life
Sitting Bull was born to a high-ranking family (both his father, Returns-Again, and his two uncles were esteemed warriors) in the Hunkpapa division of the Lakota tribe. He quickly proved his prowess and bravery, killing his first buffalo age 10 and 'counting coup' (winning prestige against an enemy in battle) at just 14 years old.
Now a respected member of the tribe, Sitting Bull joined several groups such as the Kit Fox Warriors and the Silent Eaters, as well as co-founding the Strong Heart Society. In this latter organisation, he was given the honour of being one of the two Sash Wearers of the group.
Sitting Bull’s spiritual status also rose in tandem with his societal prestige. Native American culture is rich with myths and legends, while inducing trances and interpreting dreams is valued as an effective method of predicting the future. Sitting Bull excelled in these disciplines and was revered for it.
Trouble brews
From the outset, Sitting Bull had been against the encroachment of white settlers and an advocate of preserving indigenous cultures and customs. His first contact with the US Army arrived in mid-1863, when they retaliated against the Santee Dakota tribe after the Minnesota Massacre (in which the Lakota were not involved).
The next five years saw repeated skirmishes between Sitting Bull and law enforcement. His leadership and bravery earned him the rank of chief of the Oklala Lakota tribe in 1866 and overall chief of the entire Oceti Sakowin people the following year, with Crazy Horse as his deputy. In 1868 an uneasy peace was achieved with the Treaty of Laramie, in which the Oceti Sakowin were granted a reservation in what is modern-day South Dakota.
However, the discovery of gold in the Black Hills in the mid-1870s brought the truce to a halt. Despite the fact that the land legally belonged to Sitting Bull and his people, white prospectors continued to harass them and trespass. When the authorities came down on the side of the goldrush settlers and ordered the Oceti Sakowin to vacate the lands by 31st January 1876 (an impossible task even if they had wished to comply), the stage was set for violence.
Rosebud and Little Bighorn
On 17th June of the same year, General George Crook took to the battlefield against a force comprised of Oceti Sakowin, Cheyenne and Arapaho warriors united under Sitting Bull’s leadership and fighting under Crazy Horse’s command. The Battle of the Rosebud proved to be a relatively bloodless affair, with the US Army forces retreating before too many lives were lost.
In the aftermath of the battle, Sitting Bull led his people in the Sundance ritual, which involved offering prayers, fasting and slashing his arms in sacrifice to the Great Spirit (Wakáŋ Táŋka). During the performance of the ritual, Sitting Bull saw visions of US soldiers falling into their camp like grasshoppers falling from the sky, interpreting it as an omen of their impending success in battle.
On 25th June, one of history’s most curiously named battles took place: the Battle of Little Bighorn. Sitting Bull’s camp was attacked by General George Armstrong Custer, who led some 200 men to their deaths as they were easily slaughtered by the much greater numbers of Native Americans. Despite this numerical superiority, the US government and the American public were shocked at the manner in which such a supposedly professional unit had been dispatched.
Later years and death
Although Little Bighorn had been a victory for Sitting Bull and his people, it brought the full force of the US Army down on them. The following year, he led his people to safety in Canada, though they suffered from the cold winter, scarce buffalo and dwindling numbers of adherents. In July 1881, Sitting Bull found it impossible to go on and he surrendered to US forces.
After spending several years as a prisoner of war in Fort Randall on the Missouri River, Sitting Bull eventually fell in with the rodeo entertainer Buffalo Bill Cody. He joined his Wild West Show and became a huge hit, earning $50 per week and whatever else he could make in autographs and photos, while he also met US President Grover Cleveland at this time. After just four months, however, he was prevented from returning to the Show for a second season.
By autumn 1890, the continuing disgruntlement of the Native American people had led to the rise of the so-called Ghost Dance movement, which promised the banishment of the white man and the restoration of indigenous customs. The government – and in particular Major James McLaughlin – saw Sitting Bull as a potential exponent of the movement and ordered his arrest.
When more than 40 Lakota Indian Police officers arrived to apprehend Sitting Bull on 15th December 1890, he initially went peacefully. However, a commotion soon broke out among his supporters and in the confusion, several shots were fired. One was shot point-blank into Sitting Bull’s chest, another into his head. One of the most significant figures from American history was dead at the hands of his own people.
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