Indian Chiefs and Leaders

Kill Spotted Horse
Assiniboin

The Assiniboin tribe lived on the borders of the United States and Canada and belonged to the same group as the Dakota Sioux. Even though their language was similar they were enemies. In dress and custom the Assiniboin looked and acted like their friends the Crow and Cree. A smallpox epidemic in 1838 dramatically reduced the size of the tribe from over 1,000 lodges to less than 400.

Quanah-Parker (koa-nah)
Comanche

Quanah Parker was born in 1845 of mixed parents. His father was a Comanche chief of the Kwahadi division and his Mother a white woman-Cynthia Anne Parker. As a young girl of about 12 she was taken by the Comanche in a raid. In 1860 she was recaptured by the US Army but died in 1864. Quanah Parker became chief of the Kwahadi division on his Father's death. In 1874 he led the fight, which lasted for almost a year, against white settlers but finally surrendered and became a leading influence in making his tribe understand the white man's ways.

Rain In The Face 1835-1905
Hunkpapa Sioux

Rain In The Face went on the warpath many times, but in 1875 was captured by a young US army officer, Tom Custer, who was the younger brother of General George Armstrong Custer. The warrior Chief later escaped and swore that he would "cut out Tom Custer's heart". At the battle of the Little Big Horn in 1876 both General Custer and his brother Tom died along with the 7th US Cavalry. Rain In The Face claimed to have killed the two brothers, a fact he denied in later years.

Chief Medicine Crow
Crow Tribe

The short name of Crow name derives from the word 'Absarokee' which means 'Sons of Crow'. The Crow were skilled hunters and regularly made war against other tribes such as the Sioux and Northern Cheyenne. Fighting was a way of life on the plains. In 1876 Medicine Crow formed with other Crow chiefs and warriors, under the command of US Army General Crook, to fight the Sioux at the battle of Rosebud. As a gesture of good faith for supplying scouts and fighting with the US Army, Medicine Crow was invited to Washington in 1880.
 

Kicking Bird
Kiowa

The Kiowa were a warlike tribe who formed an alliance with the Comanche and, for many years, fought the US Army and white settlers. After many years at war Kicking Bird tried to convince the Kiowas that they should adapt to changing conditions and live peacefully. Two Kiowa chiefs, Sky Walker and Lone Wolf, however, stayed on the warpath until surrendering in 1875. Kicking Bird was asked by the US Army to select Kiowas for exile to Fort Marion. He chose, amongst the 26 selected, Sky Walker and Lone Wolf, whilst he remained free. Kicking Bird probably committed suicide by poison as he could not stand the guilt of condemning his own people to imprisonment.