The story of the Sicangu Lakota, the Burnt Thigh people, is interwoven with the vast plains of the American heartland, the majestic buffalo, and a relentless struggle for survival and self-determination. Their origins, deeply rooted in the landscape and celestial knowledge, provide a foundation for their identity and resilience in the face of immense challenges. At Rosebud a proud buffalo nation carries on, a legacy that continues to resonate within the community today.
Lakota origin stories speak of a genesis within the depths of a cave, a sacred space now enshrined as part of Wind Cave National Park, nestled on the southern fringes of the Black Hills of South Dakota. This cave served as a portal, a symbolic womb from which the Lakota emerged to forge a profound connection with the Pte, the buffalo. The buffalo were not merely a source of sustenance but integral partners in life, providing everything from food and shelter to clothing and tools, embodying a reciprocal relationship with the natural world.
The Lakota were historically a nomadic people, their movements dictated by the seasonal migrations of the buffalo herds. Their journey took them across the Great Plains, towards the Great Lakes, and even as far east as present-day North Carolina, before retracing their steps back to Minnesota and ultimately, the Black Hills. This constant movement shaped their culture, fostering adaptability and a deep understanding of the land.
Victor Douville, a respected Rosebud historian, emphasizes the significance of the Black Hills in Lakota history, citing star knowledge that places them in the region as far back as 1700 B.C. "It is important to understand our history," Douville asserts, "it is important to understand us as a people. The old ways, the origins give us basis." These origin stories are not just tales of the past; they are living narratives that inform the present and guide the future.
The power of these narratives extends beyond cultural identity. They have been instrumental in land claims, particularly in the protracted legal battles surrounding the Black Hills. The origin stories provided crucial evidence to demonstrate the Lakota’s long-standing connection to the land, bolstering their claim to ownership and highlighting the injustice of its subsequent seizure. The courts acknowledged the Lakota’s title to the Black Hills, affirming the historical and spiritual significance of the region.
The Sicangu, meaning "Burnt Thigh," are one of the seven oyate (nations) that comprise the Lakota, forming one of the seven council fires of the Great Sioux Nation. Their unique name originates from a harrowing incident when a prairie fire trapped the people near a lake in what is now eastern South Dakota. In a desperate attempt to escape the flames, many sought refuge in the lake, while others braved the fire, resulting in severe burns, particularly on their thighs. This event, though tragic, became a defining element of their identity. The Sicangu are also part of the Brule Lakota, some of whom reside on the Lower Brule Reservation along the Missouri River.
Prior to the imposition of treaties and the establishment of reservations, the Lakota roamed freely across the vast prairies of Nebraska, Wyoming, and South Dakota, their lives intricately linked to the ebb and flow of the buffalo herds. They were masters of survival, adapting to the harsh conditions and thriving in a landscape that demanded respect and resilience.
The arrival of white settlers brought conflict and disruption. The Sicangu, alongside other Lakota bands, fiercely resisted the encroachment upon their lands, engaging in numerous battles with settlers and the U.S. Military. They fought to protect their way of life, their sacred sites, and their very existence.
Even today, the Lakota consider the ground where the Battle of the Little Big Horn took place to be theirs, a place steeped in the blood and sacrifice of their ancestors. The fact that the battlefield is located on the Crow Reservation is a source of ongoing contention, a reminder of the complex and often fraught relationship between different tribes and the legacy of colonial policies. "We let it get out of our hands," Douville laments, "the land is important to us. We allowed the non-Indian and the Crow to take it over."
The Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868, initially perceived as a promise of peace, granted the Lakota rights to over 11 million acres of land. However, this treaty proved to be short-lived. In 1874, Lieutenant Colonel George Custer led an unauthorized expedition into the Black Hills, driven by the insatiable lust for gold. This blatant violation of the treaty sparked a gold rush, leading to the opening of the Black Hills to settlement by Congress.
In 1875, prominent Lakota leaders, including Spotted Tail, Sitting Bull, and Red Cloud, traveled to Washington, D.C. to voice their protests against the influx of miners into the Black Hills, a direct contravention of the 1868 treaty. Their pleas, however, fell on deaf ears.
Douville highlights the foresight of Sinte Gleska (Spotted Tail), the leader of the Sicangu at the time of the reservation’s establishment. Spotted Tail opposed settling on the banks of the Missouri River, fearing that his people would be forced into an agricultural lifestyle, a stark departure from their traditional nomadic ways.
Spotted Tail emerged as a pivotal figure during the tumultuous period of settlement and conflict with the U.S. government. Born in 1823 and originally named Jumping Buffalo, he earned the name Spotted Tail after becoming a warrior and receiving a raccoon tail from fur traders. His leadership was tested repeatedly, demanding both courage and diplomacy.
In a remarkable act of self-sacrifice in 1855, Spotted Tail and two other men surrendered themselves at Fort Laramie to prevent further harm to their tribe after an unidentified Brule was accused of murder. During his year-long imprisonment, he learned to read and write English. He was ultimately spared from execution by President Franklin Pierce.
The Spotted Tail Agency, established in 1877, was initially located south of White Clay, Nebraska, south of the present-day Pine Ridge Reservation. Spotted Tail relocated the agency five times before finally settling at Rosebud in 1878. Rosebud then became the permanent homeland for the Sicangu.
Spotted Tail became the last true chief of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate, earning his position through bravery in battle and skillful diplomacy, rather than hereditary succession. He resolutely refused to sign the agreement for the sale of the Black Hills in 1875 and played a central role in the negotiations, which ultimately failed to secure the consent of any Lakota leader.
Spotted Tail was bestowed the esteemed honor of being a "shirt wearer," one of the highest accolades for a Lakota man. His life was tragically cut short in 1881 when he was killed by Crow Dog. At Rosebud a proud buffalo nation carries on his legacy.
The Rosebud Reservation was opened to homesteading in 1904. The General Allotment Act of 1887, also known as the Dawes Act, had a devastating impact, reducing the land owned by the Sicangu and the tribe from 3.3 million acres to less than 900,000 acres. Individual families were allotted parcels of land, the tribe retained a portion, and the remaining land was opened to homesteaders for sale at a mere $2.50 per acre.
In the late 19th century, the U.S. government implemented a policy of assigning religious groups to establish schools and missions on reservations, aiming to assimilate American Indian children into mainstream American society. The Rosebud Reservation was assigned to the Episcopal and Catholic churches. St. Francis Mission, which eventually became the town of St. Francis, housed a boarding school that educated many generations of students. Today, many Rosebud residents in their mid-50s have vivid memories of their time at the St. Francis boarding school, some of which are cherished, while others evoke painful experiences.
The suppression of Native languages was a common practice in these boarding schools. Students were often punished for speaking their native tongue, leading many to secretly gather behind buildings to converse in their language. The tribe has since taken control of the school, transforming it into a contract tribal school still located in St. Francis, with a new building situated away from the mission. At Rosebud a proud buffalo nation carries on the education of its youth.
The Rosebud Sioux Tribe operates under the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) of 1934, which compelled them to adopt a constitution modeled after the U.S. Constitution and utilize blood quantum to determine tribal membership. They have administrative officers and a tribal council, with a president and vice president elected at large for two-year terms. The reservation’s political structure is divided into 13 districts, which elect 20 representatives to serve on the tribal council.
At Rosebud a proud buffalo nation carries on, striving to preserve its culture, traditions, and sovereignty in the face of ongoing challenges. The story of the Sicangu Lakota is a testament to their resilience, their deep connection to the land, and their unwavering commitment to their identity as a people.
