Chief Sitting Bull

Loughmiller 1 Austin Loughmiller Davis Research Paper 15 April 2011 Chief Sitting Bull Strong Hearted and Brave “I wish it to be remembered that I was the last man of my tribe to surrender my rifle. ” Chief Sitting Bull is one of the most well known Native Americans to this day. He was known for fighting bravely for his people. He died while fighting off white soldiers that were forcing Chief Sitting Bull and his tribe of their own land. Chief Sitting Bull had a life that many people today would try to run from.
Although the exact date of his birthday is not known, many speculate that it was from the years 1831 to 1837 (Notable Native Americans). Chief Sitting Bull first distinguished himself as a warrior at fourteen years old (Notable Native Americans). Now fourteen year olds are not allowed to fight in the armed forces but it was encouraged for a teenager to become a warrior for their tribe back then. Sitting Bull fought during the conflicts of the late nineteenth century when the Sioux were constantly resisting white soldiers (Notable Native Americans).
Sitting Bull was constantly fighting to protect the land that he and his tribe lived on. Sitting Bull died while fighting for his tribe on December 15, 1890. Sitting Bull is arguably the best-known Indian in American History (Notable Native Americans). Chief Sitting Bull’s whole life was dedicated to being a warrior and as a result he was involved in more wars than the average person today. By 1856, Sitting Bull was on of the sash wearers of the Hunkpapa’s Strong Heart warrior society (Notable Native Loughmiller 2 Americans).

When Sitting Bull became the chief of his tribe he was constantly leading his warriors into battles against white soldiers. Sitting Bull’s first altercation with white soldiers occurred in June 1863 (“Sitting Bull”). Sitting Bull was aiding the Santee Sioux against the white soldiers’ retaliation after the “Minnesota Massacre. ” After aiding the Santee Sioux Sitting Bull was named leader of the Strong Hearts and he became the cofounder of the elite Midnight Strong Hearts (Notable Native Americans). He became the leader of the Strong Hearts after receiving a bullet wound which left him with a permanent limp.
Although Sitting Bull was a brave soldier what he did on the battlefield is not the only reason he is remembered. Chief Sitting Bull is widely known today for his resistance against white soldiers. His perhaps mostly remembered for his leadership during the Battle of Little Big Horn (Notable Native Americans). Sitting Bull led warriors to fight off General George Custer when he unsuccessfully attacked a large group of Native Americans gathered to resist white domination. Sitting Bull was known by the public through his appearances on Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show and for his refusal to sign treaties (Notable Native Americans).
Sitting Bull never signed a treaty that the American Government offered him. Sitting Bull was killed during his arrest by government officials for supporting the Ghost Dance Movement. They began thinking the Ghost Dance was harmful to themselves and shot Sitting Bull for not stopping it. The death of Sitting Bull led to the Wounded Knee Massacre which killed 153 Lakota Sioux. Sitting Bull was just trying to protect his own people by refusing to sign the treaties that the white soldiers offered him.