Morning Star(Cheyenne:Vhhve,[1]also known by hisLakota
SiouxnameTamlapni,Dull Knife[2][3]) was a great chief of
theNorthern Cheyenne peopleand headchief of
theNotameohmshese("Northern Eaters", also simply known ashmshese-
"Eaters") band during the 19th century. He was noted for his active
resistance to Western expansion and the Federal government. It is
due to the courage and determination of Morning Star and other
Cheyenne leaders that theNorthern Cheyennestill possess a homeland
in their traditional country (present-dayMontana).Although he was
known as "Dull Knife" (orMotke hnxahpoin Cheyenne, a translation of
his Lakota name) to local settlers, U.S. military leaders, and
other American Indians, his Cheyenne name isMorning Star. A
Cheyenne warrior in every sense of the word, Morning Star was
described by many writers of the century as "an admirable outlaw"
compared to others likeRob RoyandWilliam Wallace.
Little Coyote (Little Wolf)and Morning Star (Dull Knife), Chiefs
of the Northern CheyennesIn 1868, Morning Star represented his
tribe at the signing of theTreaty of Fort Laramie. Following
"Custer's Last Stand" at theBattle of Little Bighornin 1876,
Morning Star allied with theSiouxand other tribes against the
United States. However, after a disastrous raid (theDull Knife
Fight) by American soldiers in which 153 lodges were destroyed and
500 war ponies captured, most of the Cheyenne were eventually
forced to surrender. They were transported to theIndian
TerritoryinOklahoma.Unable to hunt, the tribe began to suffer from
starvation and disease until September 1878, when Morning Star
began to lead the tribe north back toward their ancient homelands.
Fighting through, the Cheyenne were able to outmaneuver Federal
troops in theNebraska Sand Hillsuntil they were captured nearFort
RobinsoninNebraska. The tribe was said to have taken apart their
guns, hidden under blankets or worn as necklaces and bracelets by
children. On January 8, 1879, the tribe again tried to escape north
when most of the Cheyenne, mostly women and children, were killed
by Federal troops. However a few of the tribe managed to escape,
including Dull Knife.Morning Star died in 1883 and is interred on
the Northern Cheyenne reservation at Lame Deer Cemetery.Chief Dull
Knife College, which is also inLame Deer, is named in his honor.His
photograph, as Dull Knife, appears inDee Brown's 1971
bestsellerBury My Heart at Wounded Knee.On May 7, 1957, the
actorIan McDonaldplayed Dull Knife in the episode "Dull Knife
Strikes for Freedom" on theABC/Desiluwesterntelevision series,The
Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, withHugh O'Brianin the title role as
deputy marshalWyatt Earp. In the story line Dull Knife leads his
Indians from their reservation inOklahoma Territoryto their
homeland inMontana, to which they claim the U.S. government had
promised them. Meanwhile, some of their braves attack and burn a
white settlement.[4]
