Oglala Sioux (ca. 1822-1909)

     Red Cloud initially believed that making peace with the white government was the only way to promote an orderly passage of whites through Indian land. But unkept treaty promises prompted him to take up arms and fight the whites in 1866. After humiliating General Serman with his military forats, he again promoted a just peace and led a group called Red Cloud's Peace Crusade to Washington, D.C., in 1870. The government's failure to live up to its promises a second time left him embittered. He remained a spokesman for his people until his death.

 

 

 

     Oglala Sioux (19th century

     Red Dog was adamantly opposed to the white miners and settlers who poured into the Black Hills of south Dakota in search of gold. He was an eloquent spokesman for Indian rights who consistently confronted the white government for its betrayal of its treaty obligations.

 

 

 

     Seneca (1756-1830)

     Red Jacket was a warrior and an orator. He spent several weeks in Washington, D.C., where he met with President George Washington and addressed the U.S. senate. He was open about his contempt for the white man;s religion.

 

 

 

     Kiowa (ca. 1810-1871)

     Satank negotiated a peace treaty between the Kiowas and the Cheyennes. However, he was not a peacemaker with the white man. Though he knew that his people could not drive the whites away, he led raids against the settlers in an attempt to stop their fencing of the land and killing of game. He was eventually captured. Even then, he attacked a duard on his way to prison and was shot to death. His body was thrown in a ditch.

 

 

 

     Kiowa Chief (ca. 1830-1878)

     Sometimes called the :Orator of the Plains." He fought against the westward expansion of the railroads because he knew they would disrupt the buffalo herds that were the basis of Kiowa survival. He was taken prisoner by General Sherman, who tricked him with false claims of peaceful council meeting. He committed suicide while imprisoned in Texas.

 

 

 

     Pawnee (ca. 1790-1822)

     Met Zwbulon Pike in Nebraska. Delivered a speech to President Monroe about self-determination. Died of cholera.

 

 

 

     Potawatomi Chief (1830-1899)

     Lecturer and writer. Educated at Notre Dame. Was a professional organist and spoke five languages fluently. Met with both President Lincoln and President Grant.

 

 

 

     Teton Sioux (late 19th century)

     A medicine and tribal chief. He consistently explained to the whites that he did not wish to fight them, but only to hunt on his own land. Eventually the Teton Sioux prevailed upon him to become their war chief when the whites insisted on wantonly killing the buffalo and despoiling grazing lands. He is best known for his defeat of Custer at the Battle of Little Big Horn, and for his endurance in the Sun Dance. He is considered to be the last Sioux to surrender to the U.S. government. He was murdered by tribal police who were sent to arrest him.

 

 

 

     Shawnee (1768-1813)

     Tecumseh spent his life trying to convince the Six Nations to ally themselves wit the Indians in the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys to stop the white man. He was a highly respected warrior and statesman, and was a commissioned brigadier general in the British armed forces in Canada. He was killed in battle in Ontario.

 

 

 

     Deleware (ca. 1705-1763)

     Tribal chief. Fought to keep his people's land. Converted to Christianity, but later went back to his traditional way of life. Sided with the British against the French. Was a heavy drinker, but still respected. Burned to death in his home as a result of a fire set by a personal ememy.

 

 

 

     Yamparika Comanche (1792-1872)

     More a poet than a warrior, he was considered a great peacemaker. He spent his life seeking concessions from Washington and keeping the Comanches from going to war. He was largely unsuccessful, but was admired by everyone for his heroic efforts. He died a bitter man.

 

 

 

     Creek Chief (ca.1650-1739)

     Friendly to colonists. Traveled to England, where he gave numerous speeches. Initiated trade between England and his people.

 

 

 

     Arikara (Southern Cheyenne) Chief

     (ca. 1833-1883)

     Peacemaker. Met with President Grant. Opposed white ranchers being allowed to graze their cattle on his people's lands.

 

 

 

     Paiute (late 19th century)

     Known as "The Paiute Messiah." Fell ill with a fever during a solar eclipse in 1889 and thereafter had visions. Preached that the Great Spirit would restore Indian people to their former glory if they all participated in the Ghost Dance. The Ghost Dance became a great religious ceremony among the plains Indians in the 1890s.