Indian Affairs

American history is often viewed as victorious and beautiful. However, there is a darker side to the

story. Listen as we tell the tale of a broken and oppressed

people…

Buffalo Beautiful Beasts of the West

American Buffalo•  Actually an American Bison, commonly called a

buffalo • Western American Indians hunted buffalo on ponies• Buffalo wandered in huge herds, so massive that they

blackened the Great Plains  

Great Resource• Buffalo meat was eaten fresh, in dried strips, or dried and

mixed with berries• Buffalo hides were used for clothing, blankets, tent

coverings, curtains and drum heads• Buffalo sinews and tendons provided bow strings and

thread• Buffalo bones were used for dice• Buffalo dung was burned for fuel

  

DestructionWhen the American government learned just how valuable the Buffalo were to the Indians, they quietly encouraged the death of large herds. By 1900 the herds of the Great Plains were virtually extinct.

The Sioux War

“The Great Sioux War”1876-1877

Leaders of the Native Americans

Sitting BullHunkpapa Lakota chiefStubborn, courageous, and deeply religious; last man in his tribe to give up his rifle

Crazy HorseLed his own people (Lakota) and first wife’s people (Cheyenne)Known for ferocity in battle

George Armstrong Custer

Reduced from major general to colonel after the Civil WarRenowned Indian-fighterImpetuous, daring, rashOften relied on surprise attacks

Battle of Little Bighornaka “Custer’s Last Stand”

June 25, 1876Custer attacked against odds and better judgmentOutnumbered by as much as 10 to 1, the American forces lost tragically

George Custer died in this battle, along with his 200 men

The Indians disbanded, going back to their own tribes after thinking they had won the warNow separated, they could not stand against the influx of government forces soon sent out

Wounded Knee Massacre

South Dakota, 1890

The Wounded Knee Massacre, also known as The Battle at Wounded Knee Creek, was the last major armed conflict between the Lakota Sioux and the United States.

On December 29, 1880, 500 troops of the U.S. 7th Cavalry, supported by four Hotchkiss guns (a lightweight artillery piece capable of rapid fire), surrounded an encampment of Miniconjou Sioux (Lakota) and Hunkpapa Sioux (Lakota) with orders to escort them to the railroad for transport to Omaha, Nebraska.

The Beginnings

The 7th CavalryThe 7th Cavalry did not surprise the Indians: just one day prior, the Sioux had given up their protracted flight from the troops, and willingly agreed to turn themselves in at the Pine Ridge Agency in South Dakota.

They were the very last of the Sioux to do so. They were met by the 7th Cavalry, who intended to use a display of force coupled with firm negotiations to gain compliance from them.

The commander of the 7th had been ordered to disarm the Lakota before proceeding. During the process of disarmament, a deaf tribesman refused the order to give up his rifle unless he was paid fair value for it.

The End of the War

This set off a chain reaction of events that led to a scene of sheer chaos and mayhem with fighting between both sides in all directions.

By the time it was over, more than 146 men, women and children of the Lakota Sioux lay dead.

Twenty-five troopers also died during the massacre, some believed to have been the victims of “friendly fire" as the shooting took place at point blank range in chaotic conditions.

Around 150 Lakota are believed to have fled the chaos, an unknown number dying from hypothermia.

Indian Legislature

The Dawes Act & The Indian Reorganization Act

“A Century of Dishonor”A Century of Dishonor published by Helen Hunt JacksonPortrayed the government’s ruthless and dishonorable dealings with the IndiansPrompted Congress to address wrongdoings

The Dawes ActActs passed in 1887 by Congress to attempt to undo the damage done in the past centuryLegislation allowed Indian lands to be parceled out to individual Indian families to develop and use as they liked.Act tended to break down the unity of tribesMany Indians sold their lands to whites and became even poorer

Indian Reorganization Act

Also known as the Wheeler-Howard Act or informally the “Indian New Deal”Halted the allotment program of the Dawes ActPreserved remaining Indian landsGave reservations limited self-government

The Act also restored to Native Americans the management of their assets (being mainly land) and included provisions intended to create a sound economic foundation for the

inhabitants of Indian reservations. 

Newfound Freedoms20th century prompted U.S. to attempt to redress some of the wrongs done to IndiansIn 1924, Congress gave Indians full citizenshipCongress made it easier for Indians to seek damages for past violations of treaties & agreements

These acts, however, do little to alleviate the century of suffering and mistreatment in the face of injustice

to the Indians.