Biographical Book Review: Sitting Bull: Lakota Warrior and Defender of his People

Sitting Bull: Lakota Warrior and Defender of his People by S.D. Nelson, Abrams Books for Young Readers, New York, 2015.

This book gives a very good history of Sitting Bull.  However it presents it in the first person, and this gives the sense of a historical novel rather than history.  The story includes quotes from Sitting Bull and others which add to his life.  Sitting Bull was an interesting man.  He proved his bravery when he was young.  Sitting Bull is a name of honor and signifies that he would not give in.  Sitting Bull made fun of the “Hang Around the Forts” or people who were dependent on the White Government for handouts.  He did not agree with the Treaty of Fort Laramie.  In this treaty much of the Indian land was given away. 

This treaty guaranteed the Black Hills for the Sioux.  However, after General George Armstrong Custer discovered gold in this area, even that part of the treaty was not followed.  This lead to the Battle of the Little Big Horn.  Sitting Bull did not participate directly but was the general chief over the operations.  Crazy Horse carried out the on the field leadership. 

After this battle, the Sioux were marked.  They were pursued.  Crazy Horse was killed.  Sitting Bull and his band headed north to Canada where they could be safe for a time.  They did not return until they were starving and they had no other choice.  They were then placed on the reservation and dependent on the white men.

Sitting Bull was part of the traveling show of Buffalo Bill.  Sitting Bull would meet a violent death.  During the time of the Ghost Dance the Indian superintendent thought Sitting Bull should do more to repress the people.  Sitting Bull did not want to interfere with their religious rituals.  His arrest was ordered.  Forty Lakota policeman came for him.  In the scuffle Sitting Bull was killed.  His son Crow Foot was also killed, and six members of his band and six Lakota policemen.