Chief Spotted Tail

Chief Spotted Tail taken before 1881
SOURCE: Library of Congress

Chief Spotted Tail was born Siŋté Glešká (Jumping Buffalo) in South Dakota in 1823. He was a a Brulé Sioux. He was given his warrior name, Spotted Tail, as he wore a raccoon tail in his war head dress.
He was known for being a warrior and later a statesman, speaking for peace and defending the rights of his tribe, with special interest in bringing education to the Sioux.
He recognised the futility of fighting when his village was destroyed by the army in 1855.
See more Sioux chief's at Native American Images.
Read quotes by Native American chiefs.

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum




1928 World Series Rodeo Contestant signature card of Cowboy Morgan Evans



The National Cowboy Museum & Western Heritage Museum offers many educational opportunities. It is in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Here you celebrate the contributions of men and women of the American West including explorers, Native American leaders, writers, poets and politicians. You can see the world's largest collection of American rodeo, photographs and saddlery.

The Museum includes three Halls of Fame, including The Hall of Great Westerners for actual people who lived through the frontier era to present. Other halls include the Hall of Great Western Performers, for actors, and the Rodeo Hall of Fame.

 
There is so much to see here so I will just focus on just one part the Hall of Great Western Performers which is a large exploration of interpretations of the West in books and in film. It includes the John Wayne collection of personal firearms, artwork, and memorabilia.
Hands-on activities have been incorporated into educational programs for elementary school children, and junior and high school students enjoy a guided tour of the Museum.

Reservations are required for all group visits.

Helpful info when planning your field trip: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum School

Indians and Cavalry

Painted 1899, artist unknown.

Similar artwork can be found here.

Bill Pickett - cowboy and rodeo performer.

A handbill from1922 advertising The Bull- Dogger movie starring Bill Pickett

William M. Pickett aka Bill Pickett aka Willie was born December 5, 1870?, Williamson county, Texas, U.S. and died April 2, 1932, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

He was one of of 13 children whose family ancestry was African, white and Cherokee Native American.

He invented the technique of bulldogging, which is grabbing cattle by the horns and wrestling them to the ground.

Bill Pickett with two of his brothers c.1890s.

 
Pickett and his 4 brothers started the Pickett Brothers Bronco Busters and Rough Riders Association. He also made a living demonstrating his bulldogging skills and other stunts at county fairs.

In 1905, Pickett joined the Wild West Show that featured  Buffalo Bill and Will Rogers where he was dubbed the "Dusty Demon."

Bill Pickett on his horse. Image from Texas Highways

He helped train Will Rodgers and other performers in the art of being a rodeo cowboy.

In 1932, Bill Pickett was kicked in the head by a wild bronco while working horses at the 101 Ranch and died of his injuries eleven days later.

Pickett was the first black man named to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1971.

Lakota Indians

Four Lakota women standing, three holding infants in cradleboards, and a Lakota man on horseback, in front of a tipi.

Believe it or not, when this photo was taken in 1891 it was named by the studio who took it - 'A pretty group at an Indian tent.'  A pretty group!?! Did they look at their faces? They may be pretty but they are not happy. They are on the Indian Reservation at Pine Ridge.

More info on famous Lakota natives:

Lakota chief, Sitting Bull

Chief George Standing Bear

Red Cloud Maȟpíya Lúta - his early life

Crazy Horse

Touch the Clouds

Touch the Clouds

Taken by James H Hamilton at the Spotted Tail Agency,

Nebraska, in the fall of 1877 Courtesy National Archives

 

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Native American Time Line during "Wild West"

1821 * American Government starts moving Creek, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw and Seminole to the west of the Mississipi.
1830 * Indian Removal Act is passed.
1834 * "Indian Territory" created by Congress.
1835 - 1842 * Second Seminole War.
1864 * Sand Creek Massacre.
1876 * Battle of  Little Bighorn where Lakota defeated George Custer.
1877 * Cheif Joseph leader of Nez Perce surrenders.
1890 * Massacre at Wounded Knee.
1886 * Geronimo surrenders.
1889 * Beginning of the Ghost Dance
1924 * Native Americans granted citizenship and voting rights.

Colour plate of painting 1902 by E. Irving Couse, A. N. A.; The Historian; The Indian Artist is painting in sign language, on buckskin, the story of a battle with American Soldiers. When exhibited at the National Academy this picture was considered one of the most important paintings of the year. See if you can find the sign of the Indians, the United States Calvalry and the officer in command. The dots he is making are "bullets." See the arrows.

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Native American Chiefs

1865

Red Cloud and other Souix created between 1865 and 1880

Standing - Red Bear, Young Man Afraid of his Horse, Good Voice, Ring Thunder, Iron Crow, White Tail, Young Spotted Tail. Seated - Yellow Bear, Red Cloud, Big Road, Little Wound, Black Crow

Both photos from Matthew Brady studios

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What's the connection?

Sitting Bull and Buffalo Bill taken in 1885 by William Notman Studios, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Buffalo Soldier

Buffalo soldiers fought in the war in 1866 in the Cavalry Regiment of the U S Army. It was the nickname given to African-Americans. The 10th Cavalry was the original buffalo soldier regiment, a segregated African-American unit, that served in the Indian Wars. The Indian wars describe the conflicts between the federal government and the native peoples of North America.

THANKS TO Ark30inf  for photo