Tokalu Luta, later known as Chief William Red Fox, emerged from the heart of the Dakota Territory on June 11, 1870. Born on the Pine Ridge Reservation, specifically in the area of Thunder Butte, he was an Oglala Lakota Sioux Native American, deeply rooted in his tribal heritage. His lineage connected him directly to the very fabric of Lakota history and leadership. His father was Chief Black Eagle and his mother was White Swan, the sister of Chief Crazy Horse. Thus, Tokalu Luta, who would later captivate audiences as Chief Red Fox, carried the bloodline of a people who had witnessed both immense hardship and unwavering resilience. This made him the nephew of the legendary Chief Crazy Horse.
(Image of Chief Red Fox)
The life of Chief Red Fox spanned over a century, a period of monumental change and conflict for Native Americans. He was a living bridge between the old ways and the rapidly encroaching modern world.
One of the most significant events in the history of the American West, Custer’s Last Stand at the Little Bighorn, was a defining moment in his early life. At just six years old, Tokalu Luta experienced the profound impact of this battle, an event that would forever shape his understanding of the relationship between his people and the United States government. He carried the weight of this experience throughout his life, later sharing his recollections and insights in his memoirs, providing a unique perspective from a child who witnessed the aftermath of the conflict.
The memoirs of Chief Red Fox offer a glimpse into the heart of the Lakota experience during a time of immense upheaval. His personal account of the Battle of Little Bighorn, as relayed to him by his parents, Chief Black Eagle and White Swan, provides a chilling and intimate perspective.
The memoirs were sold at auction for $1,500 on April 17, 2010. The following excerpts reveal the context surrounding the events leading up to the battle and the Lakota perspective on the conflict:
- "I was six years and fourteen days old at the time of the Custer fight. As it was told to me by my father Chief Black Eagle and my mother White Swan, the sister of Chief Crazy Horse…We left Pine Ridge [Reservation] the eight day of May 1876. We arrived in Montana about June the fifth."
This passage establishes the timeline of the Lakota people’s movement leading up to the battle, highlighting their displacement and the sense of uncertainty that permeated their lives.
- "My people expected truble they divided up into three different villages. In case of attact they would not be caught in a trap. They knew Custer had left Fort Lincoln for the Little Big Horn. Chief Gall and Chief Two-Moons sent word to my uncle Chief Crazy Horse that they were on their way to join him in case of trouble with Custer."
This reveals the strategic awareness of the Lakota and their allies, understanding the threat posed by Custer and preparing for potential conflict. The communication between different tribal leaders demonstrates the unified front presented against the encroaching U.S. forces.
- "They hated him for the killing of the fifty-three old women, men, and children and for burning their village several years before, [This is a reference to the battle of Washita River, Nov. 27, 1868.]"
This passage unveils the deep-seated resentment and anger harbored by the Lakota towards Custer, stemming from previous atrocities committed against their people. The Battle of Washita River, where Black Kettle’s village was attacked and destroyed, leaving many innocent civilians dead, served as a constant reminder of the brutality and injustice they faced.
- "Custer Raped Black Kettle’s fourteen year old daughter during the attack. She gave birth to a boy who is known as Yellow Hawk that they claim is his son from that attack."
This is a very serious allegation, further deepening the animosity towards Custer and highlighting the personal toll of the conflict on the Lakota people.
- "On Sunday morning, June 25th 1876 Custer…divided his forces into four groups and sent Reno to attack my people from the southwest of the Big Horn River."
This describes the military strategy employed by Custer, dividing his forces in an attempt to encircle and overwhelm the Lakota and their allies.
- "Benteen was to come from the northeast. Godfry and McDugal were with the supply train…He told them he would…make the attact at four oclock…About 2 PM…we heard shots fired. Later we were told that my father and Chief Standing Bear had blocked Captain Benteen from crossing the river. Ghost Dogs, and Crow King had blocked Reno and his men. Stinking Bear had Blocked Godfre and McDougal."
This details the initial stages of the battle, with various Lakota leaders successfully repelling the advances of different U.S. military units.
- "About 3 oclock Custer appeared and my uncle Crazy Horse rode out and they retreated like they were afraid. Custer came riding on then. Chief Gall came out to the left side of Custer and Two Moons and his Cheyenns came to the right of Custer. When Custer saw this, he started his charge then he dismounted, placed his men on high grounds, with his horses placed under sentries."
This passage describes the pivotal moment when Custer’s forces engaged with the main body of Lakota and Cheyenne warriors, leading to the ultimate confrontation.
- "The Indians made a circle around him, then rode their horses accross the circle kicking up dirt [to] stampead his horses. Then the Indians made their attack. Custer bugle sounded for the sentries to bring the horses but they had been killed. His bugle then sounded for retreat but…most of his men and horses were killed."
This describes the Lakota and Cheyenne tactics used to disrupt Custer’s forces, creating chaos and ultimately leading to their defeat.
- "Some said he was the last one to die but that is not true. Captain Kegho was the last man to be killed and his horse Comanche was the only horse alive…my people said no one knows who killed [Custer] or when he fell. They say the battle lasted forty minutes…the Indians had better guns than the soldiers, good horsemen, and knew the country and planned how to fight the battle."
This provides a Lakota perspective on the final moments of the battle, challenging some of the popular narratives surrounding Custer’s death. It emphasizes the strategic advantages held by the Lakota and their allies, including superior knowledge of the terrain and better weaponry.
Beyond the historical significance of his early life, Chief Red Fox carved a unique path for himself in the world of entertainment. In 1893, his life took an unexpected turn when Colonel William Frederick Cody, the legendary Buffalo Bill, arrived at Pine Ridge Reservation. Cody sought to recruit Native Americans to perform in his famed "Wild West Show," a spectacle that romanticized and often misrepresented the realities of the American frontier.
Buffalo Bill recognized the potential of Chief Red Fox, not only as a performer but also as a cultural ambassador. He asked him to join the troupe, which was preparing for a major appearance at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World’s Fair. In addition to performing, Chief Red Fox was tasked with serving as a translator and overseeing the other Native American performers in the show.
Chief Red Fox accepted Buffalo Bill’s offer, embarking on a journey that would take him across the United States and even to Europe. He spent many years touring with the "Wild West Show," showcasing his skills as a performer and sharing his culture with audiences around the world. In 1905, during a performance in London, he famously "scalped" King Edward VII in a stagecoach robbery scene, a theatrical stunt that generated considerable publicity and further cemented his reputation as a prominent figure in the show.
His experiences with the "Wild West Show" led him to the burgeoning world of cinema. Chief Red Fox transitioned into acting, appearing in over 100 films, many of which were silent movies. His presence on screen brought a degree of authenticity to portrayals of Native Americans, although the roles he played often perpetuated stereotypical representations.
Some of the films in which Chief Red Fox appeared include:
- War on the Plains
- When the Heart Calls
- Daughters of the Tribe
- Toll of the Warpath
- Red Fox and Wild Flower
- Perils of the Plains
- Medicine Boy
- The Covered Wagon
- The Vanishing American
- Desert Gold
- The Wild Horse Massacre
- The Flaming Arrow
- The Law of Crippled Creek
- The Round Up
These films, while often flawed in their depictions of Native American culture, provided Chief Red Fox with a platform to showcase his talent and to contribute to the evolving landscape of American cinema.
Chief William Red Fox lived a long and eventful life, witnessing dramatic changes in the world around him. He died on March 1, 1976, in Corpus Christi, Texas, at the remarkable age of almost 106. His life story is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the Lakota people, and his contributions to both the historical record and the entertainment industry have left a lasting legacy. He was a figure who bridged cultures and generations, carrying the stories of his ancestors into the modern era.