Explore the life of Sitting Bull, his defiance against American expansion, the devastating impact of buffalo population decline, and his daring escape to Canada amidst escalating tensions with the US Army. The podcast delves into leadership dynamics among the Lakota tribe, personal struggles of Sitting Bull, and his ultimate surrender symbolizing a new beginning.
Sitting Bull prioritized freedom over short-term gains, critiquing Lakota leaders for compromising independence.
Sitting Bull resisted US encroachment to protect Lakota ways, exemplifying defiance through actions like the Sun Dance ceremony.
Bison near-extinction due to wasteful hunting practices disrupted Indigenous life, reflecting Sitting Bull's critique of settler society.
Lakota fragmentation ensued from conflicts, betrayals, and resource depletion, eroding unity and pushing leaders like Sitting Bull into dire circumstances.
Deep dives
Sitting Bull's Commitment to Traditional Lakota Ways
Sitting Bull remained dedicated to protecting Lakota traditions and independence, opposed compromising for short-term gains. While other leaders like Red Cloud accepted reservations for supplies, Sitting Bull prioritized freedom over slight advantages. He critiqued Lakota leaders for negotiating away freedoms treaty by treaty, seeing it as a loss of independence. These internal disagreements led to a split among the Lakota, some opting for reservations, some staying free with Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, and others.
Sitting Bull's Leadership and Vision Amidst Conflict
Sitting Bull emerged as a central leader, even amidst challenges. Despite recognizing the inevitable conflict with the US, Sitting Bull chose to resist rather than acquiesce. His defiance was rooted in protecting Lakota ways, even vowing to continue the fight despite bleak odds. Through visions and actions, like the Sun Dance ceremony, Sitting Bull displayed a commitment to his people's survival and resistance against encroaching forces.
The Impact of Technological Advancements on Native Life
The introduction of repeating rifles and the expansion of railroads fueled the near-extinction of bison, central to Plains Native life. Professional buffalo hunters, encouraged by corrupt railroads, decimated the bison population, disrupting Indigenous ways of life. Sitting Bull's critique of settler society's wasteful hunting practices mirrored broader Native frustrations as ecosystems and livelihoods were devastated.
Tensions and Betrayals Leading to Lakota Fragmentation
The escalation of conflicts and betrayals, like traders siding with the army, led to Lakota fragmentation. Internal divisions were worsened by outside pressures, as some Lakota aided the army against their own people. Lakota unity eroded as the army's tactics combined with resource depletion destabilized traditional social structures, pushing leaders like Sitting Bull into increasingly dire circumstances.
Resistance to American Expansion
Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, symbols of Lakota resistance, realized surrender was inevitable due to constant pursuit by the US Army. Crazy Horse surrendered, facing a tragic fate, while Sitting Bull chose to lead his people to Canada to avoid surrender. Many Lakota joined Sitting Bull in Canada, where they found a less hostile environment and were welcomed by Major Walsh of the Canadian Mounted Police.
Challenges in Canada and Negotiations
In Canada, Sitting Bull faced challenges of dwindling resources and pressure to return to the US. Despite strong friendship with Major Walsh, Canadian authorities wanted the Lakota to leave. Walsh negotiated peace talks with the US, but Sittimbun remained wary, expressing resentment towards broken promises and American interventions. Sittimbun's insistence on Lakota values of generosity and fairness conflicted with American wealth accumulation, highlighting cultural differences and his unwavering defiance towards the US government.
The Surrender and Symbolism
After loyal years in Canada, Sitting Bull succumbed to pressure and surrendered to US authorities, symbolizing the end of Lakota resistance. Despite his undying pride, he acknowledged the reality, surrendering his rifle to Major Broughton at Fort Beaufort. His poignant words reflected his desire for peace for his children and his legacy as the last man of his tribe to surrender, signifying the end of an era for the Lakota people.
“I don’t want to have anything to do with people who make one carry water on the shoulders and haul manure. You are fools to make yourselves slaves to a piece of fat bacon, some hardtack, and a little sugar and coffee. The whites may get me at last, but I will have good times till then.” Sitting Bull
“Let me live deep while I live.” Robert E. Howard
“Were I to run away from the enemy, no one will consider me a man.” Kit Fox warrior society song
“A warrior I have been. Now it is all over. A hard time I have.” Sitting Bull song
In historical terms, it was just a blink of an eye ago. In the mid-1800s, the Great Plains in the United States were still firmly in the hands of nomadic, buffalo hunting tribes. The looming threat of American expansion was still barely noticeable. But things changed quickly, and soon the tribes were locked in an existential struggle with the U.S. for control of the heartland of North America. One man rose among these tribes to lead his people to resisting the inevitable for over two decades. By the time he was 10 years old, the boy who would become the Lakota leader Sitting Bull, had killed his first bison by running him down and putting an arrow through its heart. In the opinion of his fellow tribesmen, his ability as a hunter and as a warrior was only second to his generosity in taking care of widows and orphans. In this second episode of this series, we’ll see Sitting Bull emerging as the main leader for the free Lakota, fighting in a brutal intertribal battle, challenging the expansion of the Northern Pacific Railroad, saving the Cheyenne from starvation, Sun Dancing and having premonitory visions of the Little Big Horn battle, leading his people to Canada, befriending a major for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, helping Nez Perce’ refugees across the border, fighting in a duel at 49 years of age, returning to the U.S. as a POW, and much, much more.
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