The Final Hunt: At Massacre Canyon on August 5, 1873, The Pawnee Nation Faced Their Last Stand. Today Their Story of Loss and Survival Endures Through Remembrance, by Ron Soodalter, Nebraska Life, May/June 2025.
This is a fascinating story. The Pawnee were hoping for a successful buffalo hunt. They had received permission from the government to pursue the buffalo. Initially the hunt was going very well. The harvested 650 buffalo at 1000 pounds of meet each. Their people was experiencing hunger and needed the food. However the leader, Chief Red Cloud, ignored signs that their enemy, the Sioux, were close, until it was too late. On the morning of August 5 they found themselves surrounded by the Sioux. The Sioux sent bullets and arrows into their ranks. Many tried to flee, but this wan't a battle, but a massacre.
The Pawnee had endured hardship for over 100 years, but this date all that suffering came to a head. The federal government failed to protect the Pawnee from the Sioux. They were often forced to serve as scouts for the federals, which put them in the crosshairs of the Sioux.
Conservative estimates say 20 men, 39 women and 10 children were killed. 10 more were wounded and eleven were taken prisoner. Sky Chief and his son were among the dead. His daughter escaped with historical papers.
All their goods were lost, including the buffalo meet. Local settlers helped themselves to what the Sioux did not take. They were left destitute on the plains, 200 miles from their reservation. The Indian agent with them was able to but a limited amount of food, to get them back. The governement paid them $9000 for the loss of 100 horses.
As a result of this action the Pawnee were discouraged. They left Nebraska and went to live in Oklahoma, Indian territory with their friends the Wichitas. By 1875 all 3700 Pawnee were living in Indian territory.
The site of the massacre is now marked by a memorial and has been designated an historical site.
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