On a somber day, July 4th, 1903, a fading sun cast long shadows across the landscape as Chief Red Cloud, a pivotal figure in Lakota history, prepared to deliver what would be his final address. Aware that the threads of his life were drawing to a close, he gathered his people to impart a message of remembrance, reflection, and unwavering commitment to their heritage. This poignant speech, delivered in the twilight of his life, serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Lakota people and a powerful indictment of the changes that had irrevocably altered their world. This is the story of Red Cloud’s last words to his people.
The air was thick with anticipation and grief as the aged chief, his voice undoubtedly raspy but resolute, began to speak. His opening words were steeped in the imagery of mortality: "My sun is set. My day is done. Darkness is stealing over me. Before I lie down to rise no more, I will speak to my people." These words, heavy with the acceptance of his impending death, immediately established a tone of solemnity and urgency. He knew that his time was short, and the message he carried was of paramount importance.
Red Cloud’s address was not merely a farewell; it was a historical narrative, a spiritual testament, and a call to preserve the essence of Lakota identity. He began by reminding his people of their origins, their divinely ordained connection to the land, and the abundance that it had once provided. "Hear me, my friends, for it is not the time for me to tell you a lie. The Great Spirit made us, the Indians, and gave us this land we live in." This affirmation served as a cornerstone of his message, a reminder of the inherent right to the lands they inhabited and the sacred bond between the Lakota and their environment.
He painted a vivid picture of their former life, a life of freedom and self-determination. "He gave us the buffalo, the antelope, and the deer for food and clothing. We moved our hunting grounds from the Minnesota to the Platte and from the Mississippi to the great mountains. No one put bounds on us. We were free as the winds, and like the eagle, heard no man’s commands." His words evoked a powerful sense of nostalgia, a longing for a time when the Lakota roamed freely across the plains, their lives dictated by the rhythms of nature and the wisdom of their own traditions. The vastness of their territory, stretching from the forests of Minnesota to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, underscored the magnitude of what they had lost.
Red Cloud emphasized the inherent sovereignty of the Lakota nation before the arrival of the white man. "I was born a Lakota and I shall die a Lakota. Before the white man came to our country, the Lakotas were a free people. They made their own laws and governed themselves as it seemed good to them." This declaration was a firm assertion of their right to self-governance and a rejection of the imposed authority that had come to define their existence. He underscored that the Lakota had a functioning society, guided by their own principles and values, long before the arrival of European settlers.
A profound sense of bewilderment and questioning arose as Red Cloud addressed the criticisms leveled against their traditional way of life. "The priests and ministers tell us that we lived wickedly when we lived before the white man came among us. Whose fault was this? We lived right as we were taught it was right. Shall we be punished for this?" This poignant query highlights the clash between two vastly different worldviews. Red Cloud challenged the notion that their ancestral practices were inherently sinful, arguing that they lived according to the knowledge and wisdom passed down through generations. The question of whether they should be punished for adhering to their own cultural norms reveals a deep sense of injustice and a struggle to reconcile their beliefs with the doctrines imposed upon them.
He then delved into the realm of Lakota spirituality, reaffirming his faith in the traditional beliefs he had been taught since childhood. "I am not sure that what these people tell me is true. As a child I was taught the Taku Wakan (Supernatural Powers) were powerful and could do strange things. This was taught me by the wise men and the shamans. They taught me that I could gain their favor by being kind to my people and brave before my enemies; by telling the truth and living straight; by fighting for my people and their hunting grounds." This passage reveals the core values of Lakota society: compassion, courage, honesty, and loyalty. He reiterated that these virtues, instilled in him by the wise men and shamans, were the foundation of a righteous life.
Red Cloud contrasted these traditional values with the promises offered by the white man. "When the Lakotas believed these things they were happy and they died satisfied. What more than this can that which the white man offers us give?" He questioned whether the material possessions and the new religion could provide the same sense of fulfillment and contentment that their traditional beliefs had always offered. This rhetorical question underscores the spiritual crisis faced by the Lakota people, torn between the allure of assimilation and the deep-seated attachment to their ancestral ways.
His faith in the Lakota spiritual realm remained unshaken. "Taku Shanskan is familiar with my spirit and when I die I will go with him. Then I will be with my forefathers. If this is not in the heaven of the white man I shall be satisfied. Wi (Sun) is my father." This declaration of faith provides a glimpse into Red Cloud’s personal spiritual convictions. He expressed confidence that his spirit would be guided to the realm of his ancestors, regardless of whether it aligned with the white man’s concept of heaven. His assertion that "Wi (Sun) is my father" further emphasizes the Lakota’s deep connection to the natural world and their belief in the sun as a divine entity.
Despite acknowledging the growing influence of the white man’s religion, Red Cloud vowed to remain true to his own spiritual beliefs. "The Wakan Tanka (Holy Great = God) of the white man has overcome him. But I shall remain true to him." This statement reflects a sense of resignation to the changing times but also a firm commitment to his own spiritual path. He recognized the dominance of the white man’s God but refused to abandon the beliefs that had sustained him and his people for generations.
His final words were a poignant farewell, filled with the imagery of approaching death and a final affirmation of his unwavering loyalty to his people and his beliefs. "Shadows are long and dark before me. I shall soon lie down to rise no more. While my spirit is with my body the smoke of my breath shall be towards the Sun for he knows all things and knows that I am still true to him." These words, delivered with the weight of a lifetime of experience, served as a final testament to his enduring spirit and his unwavering commitment to the Lakota way of life. The image of his breath rising towards the sun, a symbol of life and truth, encapsulates his desire to remain connected to the divine even in death. Red Cloud’s last words to his people are a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.
Red Cloud’s last words to his people stand as a powerful historical document, offering insight into the mind of a leader grappling with profound change and the impending loss of his way of life. They serve as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the Lakota people in the face of relentless encroachment and the enduring importance of preserving cultural heritage in the face of adversity. His words resonate even today, reminding us of the importance of understanding and respecting diverse perspectives and the need to protect the rights and cultures of indigenous peoples around the world. The speech provides an intimate glimpse into the heart and soul of a leader facing the end of his life, and the end of an era.