The hallowed grounds of the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument are set to unveil a captivating new exhibit dedicated to the life and legacy of Sitting Bull, the revered Hunkpapa Lakota leader. Slated to open in June, coinciding with the anniversary of the infamous battle, the exhibit promises to offer a nuanced perspective on a figure often portrayed solely as a warrior, revealing his profound spirituality and unwavering commitment to his people. This Sitting Bull exhibit endeavors to present a balanced portrayal of a man who embodied both strength and compassion.
The genesis of this significant addition to the Little Bighorn museum stems from a collaborative effort between the National Park Service and the family of Sitting Bull, particularly his great-grandson, Ernie LaPointe. LaPointe’s intimate knowledge and dedication to preserving his ancestor’s true story have been instrumental in shaping the exhibit’s narrative and selecting its artifacts. This exhibit concerning Sitting Bull stands as a testament to a partnership that seeks to bridge historical divides and foster a deeper understanding of the events that transpired on those fateful days in 1876.
Sharon Small, the Park Service curator at the battlefield museum, emphasized the importance of presenting a more complete picture of Sitting Bull, noting the need for "balance within the park." The exhibit’s strategic placement adjacent to the existing Custer exhibit underscores this commitment to providing visitors with multiple perspectives on the Battle of Little Bighorn and its key figures.
According to LaPointe, Sitting Bull’s presence near the Little Bighorn in June of 1876 was not primarily driven by a desire for conflict. Rather, he and his people were engaged in a sacred ceremonial journey, guided by ancient traditions and the celestial alignment. This journey, dictated by the stars and the sacred pipe, represented a profound spiritual quest for renewal and regeneration.
"The ceremonial journey begins when the sun is the spark that reignites the pipe by entering the constellation we know as Cansas Ipusye (Aries) as winter is about to give way to spring, and the ceremonial journey continues to its apex around summer solstice when the sun dancers offer their blood, sweat, tears and pain for the regeneration and the renewal of all life," LaPointe explained in a statement prepared for the exhibit.
In the days leading up to the battle, Sitting Bull organized a sun dance, a deeply significant ritual of sacrifice and prayer. At this time, past his warrior days, Sitting Bull offered 50 pieces of flesh from each arm. It was during this arduous ritual that Sitting Bull experienced a powerful vision: soldiers falling upside down into camp, without ears. He interpreted this vision as a divine message, foretelling victory but also cautioning against the allure of material possessions. "These dead soldiers who are coming are the gifts of God," Sitting Bull declared to his people. "Kill them, but do not take their guns or horses. Do not touch the spoils. If you set your hearts upon the goods of the white man, it will prove a curse to this nation."
Tragically, LaPointe asserts, this warning went unheeded. Following the annihilation of Custer’s command on June 25, the victorious Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors seized horses, weapons, uniforms, and other items from the fallen soldiers. These spoils, while providing immediate benefit, may have ultimately contributed to the hardships and challenges faced by the tribes in the years that followed.
The Sitting Bull exhibit aims to dispel the misconception that Sitting Bull actively participated in the fighting at Little Bighorn. LaPointe emphasizes that his great-grandfather’s role that day was to safeguard the women, children, and elders in the camp, which came under attack during the early stages of the battle. Following the conflict, Sitting Bull offered prayers for both the warriors and soldiers who perished on the battlefield, demonstrating his deep sense of humanity and compassion.
Central to the exhibit is a stunning backdrop featuring a replica of Sitting Bull’s pictographic history of war deeds. These intricate drawings, originally created on ledger paper during his imprisonment at Fort Randall, South Dakota, in 1882, provide a visual narrative of his earlier life as a warrior. LaPointe, having seen the original ledger art at the Fort St. Joseph Museum in Niles, Michigan, proposed replicating them on a buffalo hide for the Little Bighorn exhibit.
Artist Daryl No Heart was commissioned to undertake this delicate task, creating a faithful reproduction that curator Small described as "a perfect match." The original pictographs were created for Martha Smith, the sister-in-law of the quartermaster at Fort Randall, and the quartermaster’s daughter, Alice Quimby, who befriended Sitting Bull during his captivity. The pictographs depict various scenes of combat, primarily against Crow enemies, showcasing Sitting Bull’s prowess as a warrior and his commitment to protecting his people. Among the scenes depicted are Sitting Bull counting coup against an Assiniboine enemy, charging a Crow warrior, and exchanging fire with a Crow while holding his sacred shield. At the top of the pictographs, Sitting Bull signed his name with the image of a buffalo bull.
Adding to the exhibit’s personal touch are life-size prints of photographs taken by renowned frontier photographer D. F. Barry. One photograph features Sitting Bull himself, while another depicts two of his children, Standing Holy and Crow Foot. Standing Holy was LaPointe’s grandmother, further connecting the exhibit to the direct descendants of Sitting Bull. A D.F. Barry business card, bearing Sitting Bull’s signature, will also be displayed, providing a tangible link to the past.
Tragically, Crow Foot, at the age of 17, died alongside his father on December 15, 1890, during an attempt by Indian police to arrest Sitting Bull at his home on the Standing Rock Agency. A poignant reminder of this tragic event is the inclusion of a wooden hoop, part of a toy belonging to Crow Foot, and an eagle feather, both found in Sitting Bull’s cabin. These items, on loan from LaPointe, offer a glimpse into the personal life of a man often viewed solely through the lens of history.
Another remarkable artifact on display is a beaver-pelt top hat presented to Sitting Bull in Bismarck during the Dakota Territory capital celebration in September 1883. The hat, complete with its original hat box from J.G. Volz & Co., serves as a testament to Sitting Bull’s complex relationship with the white settlers and the evolving cultural landscape of the American West.
The Sitting Bull exhibit also showcases the leader’s armaments, including a bow and five arrows that he gifted to Henry W.B. Mechling, a 7th Cavalry blacksmith from Company H, upon his return from Canada to surrender at Fort Buford in North Dakota in 1881. Mechling’s story is particularly poignant, as his assignment to Captain Frederick Benteen’s company spared him from the fate that befell Custer and his men at Little Bighorn. Mechling’s medal of honor for bravery in bringing water to the wounded is displayed in another museum case.
While the original Model 1866 .44 caliber Winchester carbine that Sitting Bull surrendered is housed at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., a replica has been acquired for the exhibit, meticulously prepared by the battlefield’s chief historian, John Doerner, to resemble its appearance during Sitting Bull’s possession.
Adding a final touch of artistry to the exhibit is an 1882 oil portrait of Sitting Bull by Western artist Henry H. Cross, painted from life and signed by Sitting Bull himself. This portrait, a generous donation from the James Mangan family of Fairfield, Connecticut, will be brought to Montana in June, completing the exhibit’s collection of artifacts and artworks.
The Sitting Bull exhibit at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument promises to be a powerful and thought-provoking experience, offering visitors a deeper understanding of a complex and influential figure in American history. By presenting a balanced portrayal of Sitting Bull as a warrior, spiritual leader, and compassionate human being, the exhibit seeks to foster dialogue and promote reconciliation, ensuring that his legacy endures for generations to come.