While we know our northern friends may not feel it, in the South, Spring is
here. So we thought we'd share a few of our gardening sites appropriate
for this time of the year. Along with gardening, there's grilling, and getting
ready to diet so that you can fit back into that bathing suit this summer!
The word Dakota means united, confederated, or many in one, and designates the
tribe from which the family takes its name. They seldom or never willingly
acknowledge the title Sioux first given them by the French, and now by all
whites. There are many theories as to the origin of this latter name, the most
acceptable of which is that it is a corruption of the word Nadouessioux a
general Chippewa designation for enemies which was gradually applied by
missionaries and traders, through an imperfect understanding of the language, to
the tribes thus designated. Governor Ramsey, of Minnesota, thought that the word
"originated upon the Upper Missouri, among the early French traders, hunters,
and trappers, they deriving it, in ail probability, from the name of a sub-band
of the Ti-t'-wan (Teton), Dakotas, called Sioune, who hunted over the
plains of that river, and with whom, consequently, they came most frequently in
contact.
"In Lewis and Clark's travels in 1803, they are called the Teton Saone,
and their villages are located on the Missouri, near Cannonball River.
"At least we find the term Sioux first used in the early maps to designate a
large tribe, with various subdivisions, upon the Upper Missouri only."
Dakota traditions go back but a comparatively short time, and are vague and
obscure in regard to their origin and early residence, which place it, however,
in the Northwest, above the great lakes. In their progress eastward they early
possessed themselves of the country about the headwaters of the Mississippi and
the Red River of the North, where they remained as late as 1868, when they 'were
in part dispossessed by the Chippewa, who were eventually the cause of their
removal to the Missouri.
Up to 1800, the Dakotas were divided into two principal divisions, those east of
the Missouri, who were known as the Minnesota or Mississippi Dakotas, composed
of four bands, viz: The M'dewakanton, or those of the Village of the Sprit Lake;
the Wa-pe-kutes, or Leaf-Shooters; the Wah-pe-tons, or Village in the Leaves;
and the Sisseton, or those of the Village of the Marsh. Most of these have been
long in contact with the whites, and, having disposed of the greater portion of
their lauds to the Government, have abandoned most of their old habits, and
devote themselves to farming. Others of them, however, are restless and devoted
to old prejudices, and cause much trouble to the settlers. The massacre of the
whites in 1862 was inaugurated by the M'dewakanton, the Wahpeton and Sisseton
afterwards joining them.
Along the Missouri, but living mostly on its eastern side, were the Shanktonwan
(Yankton), or the People of Village at the End, inhabiting originally the Sioux,
Desmoines, and Jacques Rivers, and living now principally about the mouth of the
Vermillion.
The Yanktonais, a diminutive of the preceding name, and meaning the lesser or
the little people of the End Village. Lewis and Clark described them as the
Yankton of the Plains, or Big Devils, who were on the heads of the Sioux,
Jacques, and Red Rivers. Their present range is on the Missouri, above the
Yankton. From one branch of this baud the Assiniboine are said to have sprung.
Pabóksa, or Cut-head, a branch of the
Yankton, and ranging above them.
The I-san-teis, or Santee, another sub-band of the Yankton, living originally in
Minnesota and Iowa, but since lately on the Missouri, near the Yankton.
West of the Missouri, occupying the greater portion of Dakota, Wyoming, and
portions of Montana and Nebraska, the general name of Teton, or Tetonwans
("Village of the Prairie") has been given to the seven principal bands of the
Dakotas in habiting that region. Lewis and Clark placed them on their map in
only two principal divisions, viz: as the "Tetans of the Burnt Woods" (Brulé),
and the "Tetans Saone," from which some suppose the word Sioux has been derived
for the whole Dakota nation. The seven subdivisions as now recognized are the
1. Siha sa-pas or Blackfeet, on the Missouri in the neighbor hood
of the Cannonball River.
2. The Si-chan-koo or Burnt Thighs, (Brulé,)
ranging on the Niobrara and White Rivers, from the Platte to the Cheyenne.
3. Oncpapas, or "those who camp by themselves," who roam over the country
between the Cheyenne and Yellowstone Rivers.
4. Minnekonjous, "those who plant by the water," south of the Black
Hills.
5. Itá-zip cho, or Sans Arcs,
"without bows," affiliating with the Oncpapas and Blackfeet, and ranging over
much the same country.
6. Ogalalla, occupy the country between Fort Laramie and the Platte,
although they are now confined to a reservation in the northwestern corner of
Nebraska. Have the reputation of being the most friendly disposed toward the
whites of all the Titonwans. Red Cloud, so well known as an Indian diplomat, is
chief of this band.
7. O-he-nom-pas, or Two Kettles. Live principally about Fort
Pierre; against whom it is said very few complaints have ever been made, they
having always observed faithfully the stipulations of their treaties with the
United States.
In the Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs for 1875, there are
twenty-one sub-bands of Dakotas enumerated, numbering, in the aggregate, 53,044.
Of these, there are fourteen represented by portraits of their leading men, viz:
Tribe
Number
Blackfeet, numbering at the
present time about
1,750
Brulé,
numbering at the present time
about
8, 420
Cut Heads, numbering at the
present time about
200
Mdewakanton, numbering at the present time about
-----
Ogalalla, numbering at the
present time about
9,136
Oncpapas
2,100
Sans Arc
1,778
Santee
800
Sisseton
903
Sautee and Sisseton at Fort
Peck
1,000
Two Kettles
2,261
Wahpeton
1,300
Yankton
2,500
Yanktonais, Upper and Lower
8,129
"The Sioux are included under twelve agencies, nine in Dakota, two in Montana,
and one in Nebraska, at all of which, except at Fort Belknap, a beginning in
Indian farming has been made in spite of all discouragements by reason of
unsuitable location and the demoralizing influence of the hostiles." The
Ogalalla at Red Cloud agency, who have almost entirely abandoned the chase on
account of scarcity of game, depend almost entirely upon the Government for
their support. Their small beginnings in cultivating the soil came to naught
through the grasshoppers. The Brulé at
Spotted Tail agency have a thriving school with 75 pupils, and cultivated some
lands. At the Upper Missouri agencies but little has been done beyond feeding
the Indians who report to them for that purpose, their attempts at farming
resulting in failures on account of the grasshopper pest. The Yankton, Santee,
Sisseton, Wahpeton, and other Sioux on the Lower Missouri and in Eastern Dakota
have made more substantial progress in civilization, many of them having
permanently discarded their Indian habits and dress, and live in houses, and are
nearly self-supporting. The Santee in Nebraska especially have entirely
renounced their old form of life; have churches and Sabbath-schools, which are
regularly attended. They have a monthly paper, printed in their native language,
with an edition of 1,200 copies.
257. Ma'-Ya-Wa-Na-Pe-Ya. Iron Scare. (Front.) Blackfeet
258. Ma'-Ya-Wa-Na-Pe-Ya. Iron Scare. (Profile.) Blackfeet
259. Wi'-Ya-Ka-Sha. Red Plume. (Copy.) Blackfeet
920. Ma Ga'-Sha-Pa. Goose. (Copy.) Blackfeet
With the exception of the last two numbers the above represent a portion of a
delegation of prominent Sioux chiefs and warriors who visited Washington in
1872. The portraits were made in Washington, and represent them in their best
attire.
337. Cin-Te-Gi-Le-Ska. Spotted Tall. (Profile.) Brulé
Photo (off site)
Spotted Tail has long been the chief of the Brule Sioux, and since his
conversion from an intense hostility to an unswerving friendship for the white
people has by them been looked upon and considered as the great chief of all the
Sioux. The honors of this position are equally divided between Red Cloud and
Spotted Tail; each is chief of his band only, the Indians them selves not
recognizing any one man as chief of the whole nation 5 but their great executive
abilities, oratorical powers, and popularity with both whites and Indians, have
been the means of putting them forward as the champions of their people.
In his younger days Spotted Tail was a daring and audacious chief, murdering and
massacring wherever he went. In 1854, he and his band attacked a coach, murdered
all the passengers, and perpetrated horrible enormities on the dead. He was
eventually captured, and imprisoned for about six mouths in the guard house at
Fort Leavenworth, during which time his feelings underwent a great change.
Instead of a determined foe of the pale-faces, he became their earnest friend
and coadjutor in the work of pacification. It has been well said of him that u
he is worth more to the Government than a dozen major-generals, with their
armies to back them."
The following extract from a speech by Spotted Tail, before a board of Indian
Commissioners at Fort Laramie in 1867, will be read with interest as showing his
ability as an orator: "My father and friends, your Great Father has sent you
here to learn what was going on. You have come. Your Great Father has sent you
to listen. Will you listen well, or only listen to half that is good and to half
that is bad, and not take the whole to our Great Father f He has sent you here
to hear and talk. We know you have not come with presents, but you may have a
little money in your pockets that you could give them. They are poor and need
help. These men here, and the old men, women, and children, have not had much to
eat since they have been here, and if you could give them something it would
make my heart glad. Yesterday my friends hit me a good deal; but it does not
matter. I have spoken."
Spotted Tail is of a large, commanding figure, and his face generally wears a
pleasant, smiling expression. It is a difficult matter to arrive at the exact
age of any Indian, and in this case it is uncertain, but is probably about 45
years. He has been to Washington four times, each time as a delegate
representing the Sioux nation.
338. Spotted Tail And Squaw. Brulé
339. Squaw Of Spotted Tail. (Front.) Brulé
340. Squaw Of Spotted Tail. (Profile.) Brulé
341. I- Api Otah. Gassy. (Front.) Brulé
342. I-Api-Otah. Gassy. (Profile.) Brulé
343. I-Te'-San-Yan. Whitewash His Face. (Front.) Brulé
344. I-Te'-San-Yan. Whitewash His Face. (Profile.) Brulé
345. Che-Tan'-Ta'-Kpi'. Charge On The Hawk. (Front.) Brulé
346. Che-Tan'-Ta'-Kpi'. Charge On The Hawk. (Profile.) Brulé
347. Nom-Pa-Ap'a. Two Strikes. (Front.) Brulé
348. Nom-Pa-Ap'a. Two Strikes. (Profile.) Brulé
349. Squaw Of Two Strikes. (Front.) Brulé
350. Squaw Of Two Strikes. (Profile.) Brulé
351. Kan-Gi'-Sha'-Pa. Blade Crow. (Front.) Brulé
352. Kan Gl'-Sha'-Pa. Blade Crow. (Profile.) Brulé
353. He-Gma-Wa-Ku-Wa. One Who Runs The Tiger. (Front.) Brulé
354. He Gma-Wa-Ku-Wa. One Who Runs The Tiger. (Profile.) Brulé
376. Wa-Kin'-Yan-Ska. White Thunder.
(Front.) Brulé
377. Wa-Kin'-Yan-Ska. White Thunder.
(Profile) Brulé
378. Ma'-Zu-Oya'-Te. Iron Nation.
(Front.) Brulé
379. Ma'-Zu-Oya'-Te. Iron Nation.
(Profile.) Brulé
380. Ma'-Zu-Oya'-Te. Iron Nation.
(Fall Length.) Brulé
All of the above, under the famous chief Spotted Tail, were members of a
delegation who visited Washington in 1872, and were photographed while there.
282. Ma To'-Wa-Kan'. Medicine Bear. (Front.)
Cut Head
283. Ma To'-Wa-Kan'. Medicine Bear.
(Profile.) Cut Head
284. Ma-To'-Ko-Ki'-Pa. Afraid Of The
Bear. (Front.) Cut Head
285. Ma-To'-Ko-Ki'-Pa. Afraid Of The Bear.
(Profile) Cut Head
286. Ma-To'-Po'-Zhe. Bear's Nose. (Front.)
Cut Head
287. Ma-To'-Po'-Zhe. Bear's Nose.
(Profile.) Cut Head
288. Chan-Te'-Ha. Skin Of The Heart.
(Front.) Cut Head
289. Chan-Te'-Ha. Skin Of The Heart.
(Profile.) Cut Head
290. Pi'-Pi-Sha. Red Lodge. (Front.) Cut
Head
291. Pi'-Pi-Sha. Red Lodge. (Profile) Cut
Head
292. Wi-Cha-Wanmble'. Man Who Packs The
Eagle. (Front.) Cut Head
293. Wi-Cha-Wanmble'. Man Who Packs The
Eagle. (Profile) Cut Head
294. Squaw Of The Man Who Packs The Eagle.
(Front.) Cut Head
295. Squaw Of The Man Who Packs The Eagle.
(Profile.) Cut Head
197-8. Che-Tan'-Wa-Ku-Te-A Ma'-Ni. The Hawk that hunts Walking.
Mdewakanton
Generally known as Little Crow. Leader of the hostile bands in the Sioux
massacre of the whites in Minnesota in 1862. He had not only visited Washington,
and was supposed to be friendly to the whites, but had promised to have his hair
cut and become civilized; and at the time of the massacre the Government was
engaged in building him a house. Upon the defeat of the Indians, Little Crow
escaped into the British Territory, where he was killed the following year.
199. Medicine Bottle. Son of Little Crow. Mdewakanton
200. Sha-Kpe. Six. Mdewakanton
The massacre spoken of in connection with No. 197 was inaugurated by Sha-kpe
and his band; some of his young men killed some white men while intoxicated, and
then, through fear of retaliation, resolved upon an uprising and the
extermination of all the whites at the agency. Sha-kpe's band was re-enforced by
the principal warriors from the Mdewakanton and Wahpeton bands, Little Crow
taking the leadership. Before they were subdued, 644 men, women, and children
were massacred, and 93 soldiers killed in battle.
296. Ma Hpi'-Ya-Lu'-Ta. Red Cloud. (Front.) Ogalalla
297. Ma Hpi'-Ya-Lu'-Ta. Red Cloud. (Profile.) Ogalalla
Photo (off site)
Red Cloud, who with Spotted Tail stands preeminently forward as the exponents of
the peace-policy, is the great chief of the Ogalalla Sioux, and generally
recognized by the military and civil authorities as the head chief of all the
Sioux. Before he buried the tomahawk, Red Cloud was undoubtedly the most
celebrated warrior of all the Indians now living on the American continent. He
had over 10,000 people in his camps, and could put in the field 3,000 warriors.
When he marched against the settlements he always went in force. He takes his
name from the number of his warriors, and their red blankets and paints; it was
said that his soldiers covered the hills like a red cloud.
He is now about 45 years of age, six feet in height, and straight as an arrow;
his face, which is of a dark red, is indicative of indomitable courage and
firmness, and his full, piercing eyes seem to take in at a glance the character
of friend or foe.
Red Cloud has probably participated in more conventions, treaties, and large
assemblies of his own and the white people, in which the greatest interests were
involved, than any other living Indian. "A man of brains, a good ruler, an
eloquent speaker, an able general, and a fair diplomat, the friendship of Red
Cloud is of more importance than that of all the other chiefs combined." While
Spotted Tail has a lively vein of humor in his character, and loves to indulge
in a little joke, Red Cloud is all dignity and seriousness.
The following, clipped from the report of the proceedings of the Board of Indian
Commissioners at Fort Laramie, in 1870, is indicative of his earnest and
impressive manner:
Red Cloud then arose, and walking toward the out side group, raised his hands
toward the skies, and then touched the ground. Then all the Indians rose to
their feet, as with uplifted hands Red Cloud uttered the following prayer:
"The Prayer Of Red Cloud.
"O Great Spirit, I pray you to look at us. We are your children, and you placed
us first in this land. We pray you to look down on us, so nothing but the truth
will be spoken in this council. We don't ask for any thing but what is right and
just. When you made your red children, O Great Spirit, you made them to have
mercy upon them. Now, we are before you today, praying you to look down on us,
and take pity on your poor red children. We pray you to have nothing but the
truth spoken here. We hope these things will be settled up right. You are the
Protector of the people who use the bow and arrow, as well as of the people who
wear hats and garments, and I hope we don't pray in vain. We are poor and
ignorant. Our forefathers told us we would not be in misery if we asked you for
assistance. O Great Spirit, look down on your children and take pity on them."
298. Red Cloud And Mr. Blackmore. Ogalalla
299. Shun'-Ka-Lu'-Ta. Red Dog,
(Front.) Ogalalla
300. Shun'-Ka-Lu'-Ta. Red Dog.
(Profile.) Ogalalla
Descriptive Catalogue, Photographs Of North American Indians. United States Geological Survey
of the Territories, 1877 by W. H. Jackson, Photographer of the Survey,
F. V. Hayden, U. S. Geologist.
