Scouts, Chiefs and Leaders

Black Fox
Arikara

The Arikara, a semi sedentary tribe of farmers and earth lodge dwellers lived on the upper Missouri river. The tribe were also known as Ree and were Caddoan speakers like their southern relatives the Pawnee. The Arikara signed the 1851 treaty at Fort Laramie defining tribal boundaries. Scouts from the tribe accompanied Custer's Black Hills, Dakota expedition. Custer's favorite scout was an Arikara called Bloody Knife who was killed with Major Reno's battalion at the battle of the Little Big Horn. The grizzly bear claw on Black Fox's magnificent necklace is attached to a collar of otter skin; the turban head-dress is also of otter and is surmounted by three golden eagle feathers which are symbolic of outstanding deeds performed in battle.

Little-Big-Man
Oglala Sioux

Famous of infamous for his changing allegiances and episodes with Crazy Horse. Little Big Man was Crazy Horse's Lieutenant and threatened to kill the Black Hills Commissioners. However after surrendering along with Crazy Horse he switched allegiance and was directly involved with Crazy Horse's death by assisting in pinning his arms. It was said the Little Big Man was crafty, but with considerable ability and presence whilst being a recognised trouble maker. It is reported that Crazy Horse's last words to Little Big Man as he ran from the tiny cell, being bayoneted by a soldier, were "Let me go, you have hurt me enough".

Sharp Nose
Northern Arapaho

Sharp Nose was a Northern Arapaho Chief and the successor to Black Coal. The Arapaho were not as strong as other tribes and so carefully maintained good relations with a host of their neighbors, such as Comanche, Kiowa and Cheyenne. Sharp Nose was an inspirational leader who handled his men with rare judgment and coolness whilst being modest and exceptionally brave. The Arapaho joined forces with the Chippewa, Crow, Hidatsa and Sioux during the redistribution of tribes in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

Two Hatchet
Kiowa

The Kiowa, traditionally among the most warlike of the plains tribes, lived in the early eighteenth century around the Black Hills and upper Yellowstone River where they were allies of the Crow and enemies of the Cheyenne and Sioux. About 1850 they moved south to East Colorado and West Oklahoma where they were friendly with the Arapaho. Most of the existing Kiowa live today in western Oklahoma. Two Hatchet is illustrated holding a rattle and feather fan used in the Peyote ceremony.

Sitting Bull
Hunkpapa Sioux

Sitting Bull was born in 1831 at Grand River in what is today South Dakota. He was the only son of a Hunkpapa warrior-Returns Again. Sitting Bull became an outstanding warrior and spiritual leader as chief of the Hunkpapa Sioux. He could claim more than sixty coups. Direct conflict with Washington arose in the 1860's when the tribe were offered space in the Powdered river country, to the west of the Big Horn mountains. In 1876 the War Department took steps to round up Sitting Bull's tribes for transferring to a reservation. This act led to General Sheridan's expedition which culminated in the battle of the Little Big Horn.