Famous Native American Chiefs

Each of these Native American chiefs was different and made different choices, but they all lived and died with a great love of their land and their people.

Some famous Indigenous American leaders fought for their land until all other options were gone, surrendering in exhaustion and despair. Others were killed in battle or murdered. And some thought it better to make peace and save their people from more suffering.

Crazy Horse

"Hoka-Hey! This is a good day to die!"

~ Crazy Horse, before the Battle of Little Bighorn

Crazy Horse was the chief who never allowed his picture to be taken, so we don't have any images of him.

He was the war leader of a Lakota (Sioux) band called the Oglala Lakota. They lived in what is now the Black Hills of South Dakota.

He fought to keep white settlers out of the Black Hills (He Sapa in their language), which the Lakota considered their sacred land. He fought in several battles, including the Battle of Little Bighorn, where he led the Native warriors to victory.

Chief Joseph

"I will fight no more forever."

~ Chief Joseph, when he surrendered to the U.S. Army

Chief Joseph was the leader of a band of Nez Perce who lived in the Wallowa Valley of Oregon. He was an intelligent and peaceful man. 2

He saw the American Army's strength and knew it was useless to fight them. He kept trying to move his people away from harm, but circumstances forced him into the fight.

So he fought bravely for a long time until he finally surrendered because his people were freezing and starving.

Geronimo

"I should never have surrendered. I should have fought until I was the last man alive."

~ Geronimo, shortly before his death

Geronimo was not an official Apache chief, but he was a strong leader, a fierce warrior, and a medicine man. He joined with other Apache bands to fight off the Mexican and American military.

Quanah Parker

Quanah Parker's mother was a white woman kidnapped by the Comanche sometime between the ages of 8 and 11. His father was a Comanche chief.

Like Geronimo, Quanah was not an elected chief of the Comanche but was an important leader. He led them as they fought to keep their lands, the wide plains of Oklahoma and Texas. He recruited warriors from other tribes to fight with him.

After their surrender, he helped his people adjust to their new life by adopting American ways.

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Sitting Bull

"The warrior is not someone who fights, because no one has the right to take another life. The warrior, for us, sacrifices himself for the good of others."

~ Sitting Bull

Sitting Bull led the Hunkpapa band of Lakota (Sioux). He was born in the Grand River Valley in what is now South Dakota.

As a child, he wanted to be like his father, an honored Lakota warrior. By the age of 10, he had killed his first buffalo. By 14, he had fought in a battle against another tribe.

When gold was discovered on the Sioux lands, the government returned its treaty with its people and allowed settlers to enter. He vowed to keep his people free and to never live on a reservation.

At 37, he became the chief of the Lakota. After leading warriors in battle at Rosebud and Little Bighorn, Sitting Bull found himself and his people pursued by the Army.

Soon after this, Sitting Bull decided to lead his people to Canada. When he returned a few years later, he was imprisoned and sent to a reservation.

Learn more about Sitting Bull's leadership ability in this Sitting Bull | Spiritual Leader and Military Leader Video.

In 1890, Sitting Bull supported natives participating in Ghosts Dances, which were dances meant to bring back the buffalo, make white men go away, and bring back dead Native Americans. Because of this, the Indian police came to his cabin on the reservation to arrest him.

During an altercation, a shot was fired from an unknown source. The soldiers then opened fire on the Native Americans killing 150 of them, mostly women and children.

As you've seen, these Native American leaders tried to accomplish almost impossible tasks: to keep their lands and their freedom and peace with the settlers and the Army.

You may have found these stories rather sad, but they're important to learn. They remind us that respect for everyone is a basic part of good government. The times when we've forgotten that have been the worst in our history.