Tatanka Iyotake:

A Life Dedicated to Lakota Tradition and Resistance

Tatanka Iyotake (Buffalo Bull Sits Down), also known as Sitting Bull, was a Lakota Sioux holy man and Hunkpapa Sioux chief who played a pivotal role in resisting the encroachment of the United States government onto Lakota lands in the 19th century. His life story is intricately woven with the Lakota struggle for sovereignty and cultural preservation during a period of immense upheaval and conflict.

Early Life and Spiritual Awakening (1831-1861)

Some oral traditions place Tatanka Iyotake’s birth in 1831 near the Grand River in present-day South Dakota. However, according to Ernie LaPointe, Tatanka Iyotake’s great grandson, family tradition has Tatanka Iyotake’s birthplace as being on a tributary of Elk River, called Four Horns Creek. Today, Elk River is known as the Yellowstone River and Four Horns Creek is now called Pumpkin Creek, this puts Tatanka Iyotake’s birthplace within the present day boundary of Montana, just south of present day Miles City. Tatanka Iyotake entered a world steeped in Lakota traditions. He received the name "Sitting Bull" at the age of 14, from his father after counting his first coup during a raiding party against the Crow Indians. Throughout his childhood, he received extensive training in Lakota horsemanship, hunting, warfare, and spiritual practices. He actively participated in the Sun Dance ceremony, a central Lakota ritual for spiritual purification and connection to the creator. These experiences instilled in him a deep reverence for Lakota culture and a strong sense of responsibility towards his community.

Ascension to Chieftainship and the Fort Laramie Treaty (1861-1868)

Tatanka Iyotake's leadership qualities emerged early on. His bravery and strategic acumen during buffalo hunts and raids against rival tribes garnered him respect and recognition within the Hunkpapa band. By the 1860s, he had ascended to the position of chief, leading his people through a period of increasing tensions with the U.S. government. The discovery of gold in the Black Hills, a sacred territory for the Lakota, triggered a gold rush that threatened their way of life. The U.S. government, eager to acquire Lakota land for white settlement, pressured the Lakota to cede the Black Hills in exchange for reservations on diminished territories.

In 1868, the Fort Laramie Treaty was signed, promising the Lakota control over the Black Hills in perpetuity. However, the treaty was riddled with ambiguities and violated by the U.S. government almost immediately. Miners continued to trespass onto Lakota land, and the government failed to provide promised provisions and supplies, leading to widespread hunger and discontent among the Lakota people.

The Great Sioux War and the Battle of Little Bighorn (1874-1876)

Tatanka Iyotake, along with other Lakota leaders like Crazy Horse, vehemently opposed the Fort Laramie Treaty and refused to be confined to reservations. He rallied his people and other Lakota bands to resist further encroachment. This growing resistance culminated during the Black Hills Expedition of 1874, in a series of armed conflicts between the Lakota and the U.S. military.

In 1876, Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer led a U.S. Cavalry force into the Lakota camp on Little Bighorn River, violating orders to wait for reinforcements. Tatanka Iyotake, along with Crazy Horse and other Lakota leaders, decisively defeated Custer's forces in the Battle of Little Bighorn, inflicting a significant defeat on the U.S. Army. However, the victory proved to be short-lived. The U.S. government responded with overwhelming force, eventually forcing the Lakota to surrender and relocate to reservations.

Later Life and Continued Resistance (1877-1890)

Following the Lakota victory at the Battle of the Greasy Grass, Tatanka Iyotake and his people moved to Canada. Here Tatanka Iyotake gained the respect of the Blackfoot leader Crowfoot as well as Major James Walsh of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

In 1881, Tatanka Iyotake along with hundreds of his followers, tired and hungry, returned to the United States. Upon their return, Tatanka Iyotake and his people were imprisoned at Fort Randall. In April 1883, Tatanka Iyotake and his followers were moved to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. Between June 1885 and October 1885 Tatanka Iyotake toured with the world famous show “Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show.

Death and Legacy (1890)

On December 15, 1890, amid the increased popularity of the Ghost Dance, rumors of another Lakota uprising spread. Fearing Tatanka Iyotake's influence, Indian Service police attempted to arrest him. A struggle ensued, resulting in Tatanka Iyotake's fatal shooting. His death sent shockwaves through the Lakota people and solidified his status as a symbol of resistance and Lakota identity.

Tatanka Iyotake's life and legacy continue to inspire and resonate with people worldwide. He is remembered as a courageous leader who fought tirelessly for his people and their way of life.

Sources:

Brown, Dee. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West (1970): This classic text provides a comprehensive account of the Lakota struggle against the U.S. government, including Tatanka Iyotake's role in the resistance.

Utley, Robert M. Cavalier in Buckskin: George Armstrong Custer and the Indian Wars (1988): This biography offers a detailed examination of Custer's life and career, including the context and events surrounding the Battle of Little Bighorn.

Ostler, Jeffrey. Sitting Bull: An Biography (2004): This comprehensive biography provides a detailed account of Tatanka Iyotake's life, from his early experiences to his death and legacy.

"Sitting Bull." PBS, https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/amex24.socst.ush.sittingbull/sitting-bull-and-the-lakotas-last-stand/: This webpage from PBS's American Experience series provides a concise overview of Tatanka Iyotake's life and accomplishments.

"Treaty of Fort Laramie (1868)." National Archives, https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/american_originals/1868.html: This website provides the full text and historical context of the Fort Laramie Treaty, a crucial event in the conflict between the Lakota and the U.S. government.

LaPointe, Ernie. Sitting Bull: His Life and Legacy (2009): This biography offers a detailed history of Sitting Bull’s life and legacy as told by his great grandson Ernie LaPointe.

Additional Notes:

The Lakota people prefer the spelling "Tatanka Iyotake" over "Sitting Bull" as it is closer to the original Lakota pronunciation and meaning. However, "Sitting Bull" is still widely used and recognized, and it is included in this article for broader understanding.

The Lakota perspective on historical events often differs from the dominant narrative presented by the U.S. government. It is important to consult multiple sources and perspectives to gain a more comprehensive understanding of this complex period in history.