Spotted Elk (Lakota: Uŋpȟáŋ Glešká, sometimes spelled OH-PONG-GE-LE-SKAH or Hupah Glešká: 1826 approx – ( 1890-12-29)December 29, 1890), was a chief of the Miniconjou, Lakota Sioux. He was a son of Miniconjou chief Lone Horn and became a chief upon his father's death. He was a highly renowned chief with skills in war and negotiations. A United States Army soldier, at Fort Bennett, coined the nickname Big Foot (Si Tȟáŋka) – not to be confused with Oglala Big Foot (also known as Ste Si Tȟáŋka and Chetan keah).[1][2]
Spotted Elk (Lakota: Uŋpȟáŋ Glešká) was born about 1826, the son of Lakota Sioux chief Lone Horn (Heh-won-ge-chat). His family belonged to the Miniconjou ("Planters by the River") subgroup of the Teton Lakota (Sioux). In 1877, Spotted Elk became the chief of his tribe upon his father's death at the age of 87.
Chief Spotted Elk
Skillful diplomat
As chief, Spotted Elk (who later became known by the name of 'Big Foot' or Sitȟáŋka), was considered a great man of peace. He was best known among his people for his political and diplomatic successes. He was skilled at settling mass quarrels and was often in great demand among other Teton bands.
Following the Sioux Wars, the government placed the Miniconjou on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, South Dakota. Spotted Elk encouraged adaptation to reservation life, by way of developing sustainable agriculture and building schools for Lakota children. He was amongst the first American Indians to raise corn in accordance with government standards. Spotted Elk also advocated a peaceful attitude toward white settlers.
Ghost Dance conversion and evangelism
New religious movement
Due to poor living conditions on the reservations, the Lakota struggled greatly to survive. In some cases, Indian agents were corrupt, undertaking fraud and stealing Lakota supplies/annuities. By 1889 they were in despair, and looked for change.
The radical solution came in the form of the Ghost Dance movement, a new religion initiated by Paiute prophet Wovoka. Spotted Elk and the Lakota became among the most enthusiastic believers in the 'Ghost Dance' ceremony when it arrived among them, in the spring of 1890. Although governmental reservation rules outlawed the practice of the religion, the movement swept like a wildfire through the camps and local Indian agents reacted with alarm. Some agents successfully suppressed the dancers, while others called for federal troops to restore order.
Chief Red Cloud offers refuge
After ( 1890-12-20)20 December 1890, when Sitting Bull was killed on Standing Rock Reservation, his followers fled for refuge at the camp of his former-ally and half-brother, Chief Spotted Elk. Fearing arrest and government reprisals against his band, Spotted Elk led his band south to the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota, at the invitation of Chief Red Cloud (Lakota: Maȟpíya Lúta). Red Cloud hoped that his fellow chief could help make peace. Seeking safety, flying a white flag and with no intention of fighting, Spotted Elk contracted pneumonia on the journey to Pine Ridge.
Death at Wounded Knee Massacre
Native American Chief Spotted Elk lies dead after the massacre of Wounded Knee, 1890
Peaceful surrender
On December 28, 1890, Maj. Samuel M. Whitside's battalion of the 7th Cavalry intercepted the Lakota. Ill with pneumonia, Spotted Elk surrendered peacefully, with his band; the cavalry took them into custody, escorting them to a campsite near Wounded Knee Creek, Pine Ridge, where they were to set camp. The site was already established with a store and several log houses.
The night before the massacre, Col. James W. Forsyth arrived at Wounded Knee Creek and ordered his men to position four Hotchkiss cannons around the area in which the Lakota had been forced to camp.
On the morning of December 29, 1890, Forsyth's soldiers entered the camp and demanded that the Lakota give up their weapons. In the ensuing confrontation, a firearm was discharged. It was later believed to have been by a deaf man, Black Coyote, who presumably did not hear the command to put down his rifle. A large gun fight quickly ensued. The US forces killed more than 250 Lakota, mostly non-combatants (women and children) and Spotted Elk was among those killed.
Notes
^"Big Foot: Ste Si Tanka (Oglala)". American-tribes.com.
Lastoftheindependents.com, Lakota Chief Big Foot and the Ghost Dance
"Chief Big Foot". Native American Chief. Find a Grave. December 5, 2003. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
January 05, 2023
spotted, native, american, actress, molly, lakota, uŋpȟáŋ, glešká, sometimes, spelled, pong, skah, hupah, glešká, 1826, approx, 1890, december, 1890, chief, miniconjou, lakota, sioux, miniconjou, chief, lone, horn, became, chief, upon, father, death, highly, r. For the Native American actress see Molly Spotted Elk Spotted Elk Lakota Uŋpȟaŋ Gleska sometimes spelled OH PONG GE LE SKAH or Hupah Gleska 1826 approx 1890 12 29 December 29 1890 was a chief of the Miniconjou Lakota Sioux He was a son of Miniconjou chief Lone Horn and became a chief upon his father s death He was a highly renowned chief with skills in war and negotiations A United States Army soldier at Fort Bennett coined the nickname Big Foot Si Tȟaŋka not to be confused with Oglala Big Foot also known as Ste Si Tȟaŋka and Chetan keah 1 2 Spotted ElkHeȟaka GleskaSpotted Elk in 1888Miniconjou Lakota Sioux leaderPreceded byLone Horn Heh won ge chat or Ha won je tah aka One Horn Personal detailsBorn1826 approx Died 1890 12 29 December 29 1890 aged 64 approx Wounded Knee Creek Pine Ridge Indian Reservation Lakota Chankwe Opi Wakpala Wazi Ahaŋhaŋ Oyaŋke South Dakota U S Cause of deathKilled Wounded Knee MassacreResting placeWounded Knee Monument Wounded Knee CreekParentLone Horn father NicknameBig Foot Si Tȟaŋka In 1890 he was killed by the U S Army at Wounded Knee Creek Pine Ridge Indian Reservation Chankwe Opi Wakpala Wazi Ahaŋhaŋ Oyaŋke South Dakota USA with at least 150 members of his tribe in what became known as the Wounded Knee Massacre Contents 1 Early life 2 Chief Spotted Elk 2 1 Skillful diplomat 2 2 Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse alliance 2 3 Reservation placement 3 Ghost Dance conversion and evangelism 3 1 New religious movement 3 2 Chief Red Cloud offers refuge 4 Death at Wounded Knee Massacre 4 1 Peaceful surrender 4 2 Wounded Knee Massacre 5 Notes 6 References 7 External linksEarly life EditSpotted Elk Lakota Uŋpȟaŋ Gleska was born about 1826 the son of Lakota Sioux chief Lone Horn Heh won ge chat His family belonged to the Miniconjou Planters by the River subgroup of the Teton Lakota Sioux In 1877 Spotted Elk became the chief of his tribe upon his father s death at the age of 87 Chief Spotted Elk EditSkillful diplomat Edit As chief Spotted Elk who later became known by the name of Big Foot or Sitȟaŋka was considered a great man of peace He was best known among his people for his political and diplomatic successes He was skilled at settling mass quarrels and was often in great demand among other Teton bands Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse alliance Edit During the 1870s Spotted Elk and his brother Touch the Clouds Lakota Maȟpiya Icaȟtagya allied their bands against the US Army together with Sitting Bull Lakota Tȟatȟaŋka Iyotake and Crazy Horse Lakota Tȟasuŋke Witko Spotted Elk saw no major action during the Great Sioux War of 1876 77 However his tribe the Miniconjou Lakota Sioux suffered during the war after which they surrendered Reservation placement Edit Following the Sioux Wars the government placed the Miniconjou on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation South Dakota Spotted Elk encouraged adaptation to reservation life by way of developing sustainable agriculture and building schools for Lakota children He was amongst the first American Indians to raise corn in accordance with government standards Spotted Elk also advocated a peaceful attitude toward white settlers Ghost Dance conversion and evangelism EditNew religious movement Edit Due to poor living conditions on the reservations the Lakota struggled greatly to survive In some cases Indian agents were corrupt undertaking fraud and stealing Lakota supplies annuities By 1889 they were in despair and looked for change The radical solution came in the form of the Ghost Dance movement a new religion initiated by Paiute prophet Wovoka Spotted Elk and the Lakota became among the most enthusiastic believers in the Ghost Dance ceremony when it arrived among them in the spring of 1890 Although governmental reservation rules outlawed the practice of the religion the movement swept like a wildfire through the camps and local Indian agents reacted with alarm Some agents successfully suppressed the dancers while others called for federal troops to restore order Chief Red Cloud offers refuge Edit After 1890 12 20 20 December 1890 when Sitting Bull was killed on Standing Rock Reservation his followers fled for refuge at the camp of his former ally and half brother Chief Spotted Elk Fearing arrest and government reprisals against his band Spotted Elk led his band south to the Pine Ridge Reservation South Dakota at the invitation of Chief Red Cloud Lakota Maȟpiya Luta Red Cloud hoped that his fellow chief could help make peace Seeking safety flying a white flag and with no intention of fighting Spotted Elk contracted pneumonia on the journey to Pine Ridge Death at Wounded Knee Massacre Edit Native American Chief Spotted Elk lies dead after the massacre of Wounded Knee 1890 Peaceful surrender Edit On December 28 1890 Maj Samuel M Whitside s battalion of the 7th Cavalry intercepted the Lakota Ill with pneumonia Spotted Elk surrendered peacefully with his band the cavalry took them into custody escorting them to a campsite near Wounded Knee Creek Pine Ridge where they were to set camp The site was already established with a store and several log houses Wounded Knee Massacre Edit Main article Wounded Knee Massacre The night before the massacre Col James W Forsyth arrived at Wounded Knee Creek and ordered his men to position four Hotchkiss cannons around the area in which the Lakota had been forced to camp On the morning of December 29 1890 Forsyth s soldiers entered the camp and demanded that the Lakota give up their weapons In the ensuing confrontation a firearm was discharged It was later believed to have been by a deaf man Black Coyote who presumably did not hear the command to put down his rifle A large gun fight quickly ensued The US forces killed more than 250 Lakota mostly non combatants women and children and Spotted Elk was among those killed Notes Edit Big Foot Ste Si Tanka Oglala American tribes com Michno 303References EditMichno Gregory Lakota Noon The Indian Narrative of Custer s Defeat Missoula MT Mountain Press Publishing Company 1997 ISBN 978 0 87842 356 9 External links EditU s history com Lakota Chief Big Foot Indigenouspeople net Lakota Chief Big Foot Lastoftheindependents com Lakota Chief Big Foot and the Ghost Dance Chief Big Foot Native American Chief Find a Grave December 5 2003 Retrieved August 18 2011 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Spotted Elk amp oldid 1109040154, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
