Sitting Bull's Legacy

The Lakota Sioux leader's relics return to his only living descendants

  • By Jess Blumberg
  • Smithsonian.com, October 31, 2007, Subscribe
 
A lock of hair and wool leggings belonging to Sitting Bull A lock of hair and wool leggings belonging to Sitting Bull will soon be repatriated to his closest living relatives (left, Sitting Bull's great-grandson, Ernie LaPointe).

Adam Nadel

 

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    A lock of hair and wool leggings belonging to Sitting Bull will soon be repatriated by the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., to his closest living relatives. The Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux chief and medicine man led his people against the European invasion in the late 19th century. After Sitting Bull was fatally shot by Native American police in 1890, his body was in the custody of a temporary army doctor at the Fort Yates military base in North Dakota. The doctor obtained the hair and leggings and sent them to the museum in 1896.

    For five years, Bill Billeck, director of the museum's Repatriation Office, thoroughly investigated the family of Sitting Bull to determine his closest living descendants. Billeck established that Ernie LaPointe, who is 59 and living in Lead, South Dakota, and his three sisters represent the only living relatives of the Native chief.

    Now LaPointe, Sitting Bull's great-grandson, talks about the repatriation process and how the story of his famous great-grandfather has been so misunderstood.

    How did this repatriation develop?

    The Smithsonian was looking for descendants of Sitting Bull, and there was an individual at Smithsonian who told Bill Billeck that maybe he should contact me. He didn't know who I was, but he decided to contact me in 2002. I told him there are four of us who are the closest relatives to Sitting Bull. He flew over here in a couple of days and we showed him all of our documentation, like birth and death certificates. He took copies and went back to Washington and he basically did thorough research on all the documents and everything we told him. He established that we are the closest living relatives to Sitting Bull—the great-grandchildren. That's myself and three of my sisters. So then we put in an application to have a lock of his hair and a pair of his leggings that were taken off of his body after he was killed repatriated to us. People have 30 days to come forward and present any legal documentation that prove they are closer descendants than us. If nothing happens, then we have a target date for the first week in December to come up to Washington and pick up the hair and leggings.

    How does it feel to have these artifacts back in the family's possession?

    I think the circle of the death of Sitting Bull will be completed when we get the hair and leggings. To understand our Lakota culture, you have to know that we always feel we're not a whole person in the spirit world unless the pieces of you are together. Basically, the hair is a real vital part of a human Lakota. The part of the hair that they cut off is the part where Sitting Bull tied his eagle feathers on. I feel like he doesn't have that, so it needs to be returned back to the grave so he can become a whole person spiritually.

    What was it like when you first saw the relics?


    A lock of hair and wool leggings belonging to Sitting Bull will soon be repatriated by the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., to his closest living relatives. The Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux chief and medicine man led his people against the European invasion in the late 19th century. After Sitting Bull was fatally shot by Native American police in 1890, his body was in the custody of a temporary army doctor at the Fort Yates military base in North Dakota. The doctor obtained the hair and leggings and sent them to the museum in 1896.

    For five years, Bill Billeck, director of the museum's Repatriation Office, thoroughly investigated the family of Sitting Bull to determine his closest living descendants. Billeck established that Ernie LaPointe, who is 59 and living in Lead, South Dakota, and his three sisters represent the only living relatives of the Native chief.

    Now LaPointe, Sitting Bull's great-grandson, talks about the repatriation process and how the story of his famous great-grandfather has been so misunderstood.

    How did this repatriation develop?

    The Smithsonian was looking for descendants of Sitting Bull, and there was an individual at Smithsonian who told Bill Billeck that maybe he should contact me. He didn't know who I was, but he decided to contact me in 2002. I told him there are four of us who are the closest relatives to Sitting Bull. He flew over here in a couple of days and we showed him all of our documentation, like birth and death certificates. He took copies and went back to Washington and he basically did thorough research on all the documents and everything we told him. He established that we are the closest living relatives to Sitting Bull—the great-grandchildren. That's myself and three of my sisters. So then we put in an application to have a lock of his hair and a pair of his leggings that were taken off of his body after he was killed repatriated to us. People have 30 days to come forward and present any legal documentation that prove they are closer descendants than us. If nothing happens, then we have a target date for the first week in December to come up to Washington and pick up the hair and leggings.

    How does it feel to have these artifacts back in the family's possession?

    I think the circle of the death of Sitting Bull will be completed when we get the hair and leggings. To understand our Lakota culture, you have to know that we always feel we're not a whole person in the spirit world unless the pieces of you are together. Basically, the hair is a real vital part of a human Lakota. The part of the hair that they cut off is the part where Sitting Bull tied his eagle feathers on. I feel like he doesn't have that, so it needs to be returned back to the grave so he can become a whole person spiritually.

    What was it like when you first saw the relics?

    In November 2005, I went out there [Washington] with some family and a medicine man to do a ceremony with the items. It was a deep, emotional feeling. I was looking at the hair and leggings, thinking that those really belonged to him and that this was a part of him when he was murdered 116 years ago. Most people who own anything, they own it both materially and spiritually. When somebody dies, like Sitting Bull, and his items are taken without his permission or the permission of his relatives, his energy is still in them. We have to release that energy back to the spirit world through a ceremony.

    What are you planning on doing with the relics once they're handed over?

    We're going to do a ceremony with my sisters, myself and a spiritual leader. We will ask our great-grandfather to take his energy, or "spiritual DNA," off of these things and take it back to the spirit world. The hair we will probably rebury. With the leggings, I'm not sure yet. Through the ceremony, the medicine man will tell us what we should do with them.

    How did you learn that Sitting Bull was your great-grandfather?

    It all started when we lived on the reservation, out in the country. We had no electricity, TV or anything like that. In the evenings, my mom would fire up the kerosene lamp and she would be sewing and she would tell us all kinds of stories. In the process of doing this, she would tell us about her grandfather. I never knew for a long time who she was talking about. When you're a kid, you just want to play, but she just kept talking. So we kept listening. She said, "There are going to be a lot of stories about your grandfather." As I got older, I started to realize who she was talking about, because she said to keep the stories in our heads and in our hearts.

    She also said don't tell anyone that you are related to Tatanka Iyotake, which means "Buffalo Bull Who Sits Down." So I never told anybody because my mother said if you did, "your life will never be the same." She told me that I have to live as Ernie LaPointe. And now I understand what she meant, because if I had said anything about this as a kid growing up, people would have treated me differently.

    One of my aunts told me in 1992 to show the world that there are real blood descendants of Sitting Bull. So that's when I came out and started this difficult path of trying to straighten up his story. A lot of people contact me and claim to be related to Sitting Bull, but they always say things that give them away pretty easily. It happens to all Natives. Like I went to Cherokee, North Carolina, a couple weeks ago and they're all bent out of shape down there because they meet people who are non-Native who say, "My grandmother was a Cherokee princess." But, there is no such thing as kings, queens or princesses in our culture. [laughs] Even right as we're talking, there are people on the Internet claiming to be related to Sitting Bull. Now, because of Smithsonian's documentation and research, I can prove all of the blood descendants to the great grand level.

    What was it like to read the books in school talking about your great-grandfather?

    For a long time, I thought my mother was lying to me. The stories she told me versus the books I was reading were very different. Plus, when I was growing up there might be one history book with one paragraph about Natives in it and that's it. The books would always call us Sioux and my mother would call us Lakota. And the stories about my great-grandfather were hard to read because they called him a killer, the killer of [General] Custer. My mom never said anything like that. People need to understand what you're writing about. It's a difficult life to write about unless you have experienced it. I want to try to tell it from my heart; I speak of my great-grandfather with reverence and respect because he cared for his people and he was one of many Natives that exhibited love, care and compassion for them.

    A lot of documentaries and textbooks misrepresent your history. How do you cope?

    We have to understand how to look at the stories of Natives before they pass on into history. My main goal is to be the voice of my great-grandfather, straighten up all the myths and explain who he really was.

    What is one misconception about Sitting Bull that you want to set straight?

    He was not born on the bank of Grand River in South Dakota, but he was born on Yellowstone River, south of Miles City, Montana. That is one of the biggest misconceptions in Sitting Bull's history. It's a shock to most people because everybody reads the history books that say he was born in South Dakota. I went up there and visited this place south of Miles City; it's a beautiful place. I had this warm feeling in my heart when I was walking around there, and I knew that's where he was born. But, when I go to Grand River, I have a feeling of sadness because it's right near where Sitting Bull was murdered—not where he was born. This is what my mother told me. Also, he wanted to be known as a sun dancer. The sun dance is a ceremony that a man does where he gives all of his energy. You dance for four days with no food or water. This is dance for the people's health and fertility, and its main purpose is to help our culture go on.


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    I was raised and told sitting bull was my great great grandfather. my grandmother was IDA WEED STARLING LANGSTON. HER MOTHER WAS LOUISANA MELVIN SHOLAR ( LUCY ANN). I'M just trying to find out if he is actually our grandfather.

    Posted by GALE on October 11,2011 | 03:19 PM

    To whom it may concern;one of the granddaughters of sitting bull(Little Flower)also known as May V. Sharp who died at age 87 in sacramento and was a full blooded Hankpapa sioix.I remember when I was A little boy being told storys by my great grandmother (little flower)allthough I dont remember the storys themselves.May V. Sharp was survived by her children,one of which is (Silver Leaf Files)whom is my grandmother.She died A few years ago.And she was survived by one of her sons (James Rider)my father.Also known as (Ray Rider).He also died not to long ago and I am his last living son.(Jack Chanse Karl Rider)I am in the prossess of getting facts together so that I too may know where I come from and become part of the souix nation.

    Posted by Jack Rider on September 8,2011 | 02:20 PM

    im trying to see if im really related to sitting bull my grandmother told me he is a distant cusin or uncle. I'm also related to Hiawatha my grandmother is jocyemarie haiwatha redd ( now divorced) my my great grandmother (barbra geane or jean da frenchi or frenchy lived or the reservation. i don't know forsure with my granfather (richard) who is dead which was blackfoot.Can anyone help me?

    Posted by Danelia marie pooler on May 23,2011 | 12:17 AM

    One of Sitting Bull's sons lived on Judge Wren's farm near Kevil, Ky. He had at least two girls and a son. One of his grandsons had a wife who may still live in Paducah, Ky. His daughter has a son she named Cheyenne Sitting Bull. They went back to the reservation.
    White Buffalo had Sitting Bull's pipe. (The date scratched on it when he was in England) These things I know.

    Posted by fain russell on April 5,2011 | 01:58 PM

    the most important truth of the native american heritage is that a soul reincarnates. we are all one and if there is discordance it has come from within. sitting bulls name means one who sits down. your heritage does not make you higher or lower its your heart that determines your worth and those with a pure heart bow or sit to understand the situation rather than puffing up and describing who their family members were. the great grandson knew this when he was older because the humility and respect he learned were earned on his own behavior not the backs of those that came before him. i listed my true names on this blog to laugh at myself because none of those names aptly describe me they are limitations that try to define me. true native freedom is found in being who you really are destined to be. being is a verb so is sitting its action within.experiencing the freedom of yourself should be the point of discussion. what have you been witnessing doing seeing loving being im all ears

    Posted by CRISTINA MAE BULL WOODS HUTTO PARISH on October 17,2010 | 11:25 AM

    As I see Sitting Bull has a lot of people trying to find the fact's that their grandparents told them stories of how they where related to the great chief! He must of been quite the lady's man? Then I must be directly related too? Funny ? maybe a little? Seriously though i have a few questions and will try to give more info than than just names.From my grandparents stories I was told he had a granddaughter named Morning star? But was adopted buy a white family at a very young age.Her given white name is Lottie E Jones. Estimated birth year 1879 in Arkansas. I do have more info on her but its all to do with her white family. Finding out if Sitting Bull had a grand daughter named Morning Star? And if that were true everything would fall into place! It would be great to learn of this. Would I contact the federal registry on this? I need to know about her native family.And if this is even true. Please E-mail info!! Thank you Caleb Wyatt

    Posted by Caleb Wyatt on September 5,2010 | 04:31 AM

    It's always better when the truth is spoken. Somtimes we go through life by seeing what's in front of us and not experiance it for ourselves. Love everyone hate no one. Let your heart be kind and let your spirit be free. Please dont judge a life by the false books and words society shows you. Be blessed by helping another and pray for the world and the people in it.

    Posted by Paul on August 5,2010 | 03:02 PM

    Mr. LaPointe,
    My grandfather always told me that Sitting Bull was my great, great, great uncle. I only have his word of this, I can't find any proof. If you know any information that can help me, I would appreciate it. Standing Rock agency has sent me as much as they know. My great grandmother is (Mary Joy To the Nation) and my great great grandparents are (Apearing Cloud and Afraid Of Nothing). My grandfather was James Daniel Gayton of Gaytons Landing in North Dakota. Sam Gayton was my great uncle. Does any of this ring any bells?? It doesn't hurt to ask, I would just like to find some proof yes or no, it's just something I've always wanted to know. Thank you for your time,
    Rick Brillhart

    Posted by Rick Brillhart on June 20,2010 | 02:42 PM

    Mr. LaPointe,
    I believe that your mother went to school with my brother-in-law's mother. Her name was Helen Mesick. She was raised in Highmore, South Dakota. She also went to St. Mary's Nursing School in Pierre, SD. She is deceased, but I think it would be interesting to see if they really were roommates. She was born 7/7/1920 & in her obit it was stated that she was a "true daughter of the prairie, she was a roommate with one of Chief Sitting Bull's granddaughters".
    Thank you for any information you might be able to give me on this. I know it would be a pleasure to hear from you. Kay Yechout

    Posted by Kay Yechout on February 16,2010 | 11:39 PM

    HAO! I AM IN AWE OF YOUR GREAT GREAT GRAND FATHER! HE IS MY HERO! I AM ALSO YOUR GREAT GREAT GRAND FATHERS 56TH COUSIN. SO THAT MEANS YOUR MY COUSIN 2. WHAT ARE YOUR SISTERS NAMES? DO ANY OF YOU HAVE ANY KIDS? I HOPE SO! I AM GLAD YOU GOT WHAT YOU SHOULD GAVE GOTTEN ALONG TIME AGO. I WOULD LOVE TO MEET YOU AND YOUR SISTERS SOME DAY! LOTS OF LOVE TO YOU AND YOUR SISTERS. WOULD LOVE TO WRITE OR TYPE YOU. WOWAWA, KAYA YOUNG. (REAL NAME)- TAKU SKAN SHUNGKMANITUTONKA TUWE MANI EESHNAHLA.

    Posted by Kaya Young on January 9,2010 | 12:51 AM

    My Granddad (who is full-blooded Ogala-Lakota) is Sitting Bulls Great-Great Grandson. It is good to have Sitting Bulls belongings returned to the LaPointe family. Many blessing to you all.

    Wakan Tanka Nici Un.

    Posted by JD on October 21,2009 | 09:26 PM

    I have been told my dad's 3rd or 4th great grandmother was chief sitting bull's sister. The last name is Howerton. Does anyone have any information about this? Is there a DNA test available to indicate blood lines? How can I become a member of a tribe/reservation?

    Posted by A howerton on October 15,2009 | 06:06 PM

    I too am very happy for the LaPointe family on having Sitting Bull's belongings returned to them. I'm sure they are so proud to be decesendents of such a honorable man.
    My family has been told for years that we are related to Sitting Bull also. On our maternal side of the family tree. I am trying to have claim on anything of the great grandchildren by any means, but have told my children and grandchildren with pride of of that part of our ancestory and would really like to prove it. Could someone please give me lineage so I could see if the years of passed on information is correct. Thank you very much!

    Posted by Bobbi Hawkinson on June 16,2009 | 08:30 PM

    Dear Sir; I have been told that my biological mother was a desendent of sittingbull. I do not know if this is true because was adopted by another family as a child. How do I find out if she was his desendent. My mother's name was Danna K. Milburn.

    Posted by Margaret on May 2,2009 | 05:09 AM

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