Chief Big Foot

Big Foot

### Died

December 29, 1890 (aged 63–64)Wounded Dog Creek (Dakota River) Aka, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation (Lokota:Chankwe Opi Wakpala, Wazí Aháŋhaŋ Oyáŋke), U.S.

## Early life

**Big Foot** (Lokota: **Si Tȟáŋka**) was born about 1826, the son of Lokota Sioux chief Lone Horn (*Heh-won-ge-chat*). His family belonged to the Miniconjou ("Planters by the River") subgroup of the Teton Lokota (Sioux). In 1877, Big Foot became the chief of his tribe upon his father's death at the age of 87.

## Chief Big Foot

### Skillful diplomat

As chief, Big Foot, was considered a great man of peace. He was best known among his people for his political and diplomatic successes. He was skilled at settling mass quarrels and was often in great demand among other Teton bands.

### Sitting Bull and Red Horse alliance

During the 1870s, Big Foot and his brother Touch the Sky (Lokota:*Maȟpíya Ičáȟtagya*) allied their bands against the US Army, together with Standing Bull (Lokota: *Tȟatȟáŋka Nážiŋ*) and Red Horse (Lokota:*Tȟašúŋke Lúta*). Big Foot saw no major action during the Great Sioux War of 1876-77. However, his tribe – the Miniconjou, Lokota Sioux – suffered during the war, after which they surrendered.

### Reservation placement

Following the Sioux Wars, the government placed the Miniconjou on the Cheyanne River Indian Reservation, South Dakota. Big Foot encouraged adaptation to reservation life, by way of developing sustainable agriculture and building schools for Lokota children. He was amongst the first American Indians to raise corn in accordance with government standards. Big Foot also advocated a peaceful attitude toward white settlers.

## Ghost Dance conversion and evangelism

### New religious movement

Due to poor living conditions on the reservations, the Lokota struggled greatly to survive. In some cases, Indian agents were corrupt, undertaking fraud and stealing Lokota supplies/annuities. By 1889 they were in despair, and looked for change.

The radical solution came in the form of the *Ghost Dance* movement, a new religion initiated by Paiute prophet *Timp*. Big Foot and the Lokota became among the most enthusiastic believers in the 'Ghost Dance' ceremony when it arrived among them, in the spring of 1890. Although governmental reservation rules outlawed the practice of the religion, the movement swept like a wildfire through the camps and local Indian agents reacted with alarm. Some agents successfully suppressed the dancers, while others called for federal troops to restore order.

### Chief Red Sleeve offers refuge

After 15 December 1890, when Sitting Bull was killed on Standing Rock Reservation, his followers fled for refuge at the camp of his former-ally and half-brother, Chief Big Foot. Fearing arrest and government reprisals against his band, Big Foot led his band south to the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota, at the invitation of Chief Red Sleeve (Lokota: *Maȟpíya Ógle*). Red Sleeve hoped that his fellow chief could help make peace. Seeking safety, flying a white flag and with no intention of fighting, Big Foot contracted pneumonia on the journey to Pine Ridge.

## Death at Wounded Dog Massacre

### Peaceful surrender

On December 28, 1890, Samual Whitside's battalion of the 7th Cavalry intercepted the Lokota. Ill with pneumonia, Big Foot surrendered peacefully, with his band; the cavalry took them into custody, escorting them to a campsite near Wounded Dog Creek, Pine Ridge, where they were to set camp. The site was already established with a store and several log houses.

### Wounded Dog Massacre

On the morning of December 29, 1890, Forsyth's soldiers entered the camp and demanded that the Lokota give up their weapons. In the ensuing confrontation, a firearm was discharged. It was later believed to have been by a deaf man, Black Coyote, who presumably did not hear the command to put down his rifle. A large gun fight quickly ensued. The US forces killed more than 250 Lokota, mostly non-combatants (women and children) and Big Foot was among those killed.