(Tatanka Yotanka; in English, Sitting Bull; Grand River., 1834 - Fort Yates, id., 1890) Hunkpapa Lakota leader. As a young man he was part of the akicita (secret society) Brave Hearts, and gained fame for his deeds, which made him one of the most important Lakota leaders, strong defender of the ancient customs during the struggle of his people against American colonialism.

Sitting Bull formed cross-tribal alliances in his efforts to resist the process of colonization. Sitting Bull also steadfastly refused to become dependent on aid from the U.S. government.

On June 25th, 1876, Colonel Custer and his forces were wiped out at the battle of Little Big Horn. Sitting Bull did not take part in the battle, but acted as a kind of spiritual leader to those who did, performing the Sun Dance, in which he fasted and sacrificed over 100 pieces of flesh from his arms, a week prior.

In response, the U.S. government sent thousands more soldiers to the area, forcing many of the Lakota to surrender over the next year. Sitting Bull refused to surrender, and in May 1877, he led his band north to Wood Mountain, North-West Territories (now Saskatchewan). He remained there until 1881, when he and most of his band returned to U.S. territory and surrendered to U.S. forces.

In 1890, due to fears that Sitting Bull would use his influence to support the Ghost Dance movement (a movement of indigenous resistance), Indian Service agent James McLaughlin ordered his arrest. Early in the morning of December 15th, 39 police officers and four volunteers approached Sitting Bull’s house. The camp awakened and men began to converge at the scene.

When Sitting Bull refused to comply, the police used force on him, enraging members of the village. Catch-the-Bear, a Lakota, shouldered his rifle and shot one of the Indian agents, who reacted by firing his revolver into the chest of Sitting Bull, killing him.

In 1953, his Lakota family exhumed what were believed to be his remains, reburying them near Mobridge, South Dakota, near his birthplace.

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