 His people even fought
Gen. George Custer. Yes, Tatanka Iyotaka was pretty well-known in
his day, and he's just as well-known 117 years after he died. Later
in his life, he performed with Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show
alongside Annie Oakley. In fact, it was Tatanka who gave Annie
Oakley the nickname of "Little Sure Shot."Born in 1831 near the
Grand River in the Dakota Territory in what is now known as South
Dakota, Tatanka Iyotaka fought many battles, but always in defense.
And just what was he doing fighting Gen. Custer?
Winning.
Because the battle in which he inspired the Sioux Indians against
George Custer was the Battle of the Little Big Horn in 1876. This
turned out to be the Sioux Indians' greatest military victory. It
was also the beginning of the end for Tatanka Iyotaka.
He was regarded as a holy man among the Sioux Indians, and his
biggest contribution to the Battle of the Little Big Horn was
spiritual. He was not present at this historic battle; however,
during a sun dance ritual, he had a vision that inspired the others
-- a vision in which he saw hundreds of fallen cavalry soldiers.
One year after the Battle of the Little Big Horn, Iyotaka and his
men fled to Canada. Facing starvation, they returned to the United
States after four years, and the U.S. government assigned Iyotaka to
a reservation in South Dakota. He was a prisoner for two years.
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 In 1885 Iyotaka had another vision. In this vision, a bird landed
on a hill beside him and said, "Your own people, the Lakotas, will
kill you."
In December of 1890, five years after his vision, Indian police
came to arrest the 59-year-old Iyotaka for supporting the Ghost
Dance movement. The Ghost Dance was intended to get rid of white
people, hence the name "Ghost Dance."
But things went terribly wrong when a few of his people
threatened the Indian police. One of his men fired a shot at the
police, and when the police fired back, they hit Iyotaka in the head
and chest, killing him instantly. Twelve more Indians were killed in
the gunfight, and three others were injured.
It might seem a bit odd that Tatanka Iyotaka was killed by Indian
police, because he was Indian himself. In fact, it was his Indian
name by which you know him... Sitting Bull.
But you knew that all along, didn't you?
[By
PAUL NIEMANN]
Paul Niemann may be reached at
niemann7@aol.com.
Copyright Paul Niemann 2007
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columns)
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