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?
i belive you the history boks do tend to glorify the general but he was a killer woemon children dogs we got indian blood but dont no how to find out much my mom said when she was little they would have got a beating for even talking about it she is 86 now she is proud to tell her stories my dad and grampa have indian allso wish i had enough sense to find out what we r
Posted by carol on November 16,2007 | 06:58PM
I cannot imagine how much you (Ernie) must have struggled with your inner thoughts as well as the anger you must hold in. A fact is a fact, your great great grandfather indeed was a participant and leader of forces in our country's history. Please do not let anyone disrupt and trash his final resting place. I am ashamed of how the white men treated native americans, I'm more ashamed that Tatonka's grave was compromised.
Posted by Rusty on November 21,2007 | 05:36AM
As for us your friends in SC, we are so happy for you this day has finly come.We have prayed long and hard for this day and our love is always with you, jim and Shirl
Posted by Shirley and Jim on November 24,2007 | 04:11PM
Mr.Ernie LaPointe: Good luck in establishing peace with your Great Grandfather remains and possessions. As we should, every story has two sides. Unfortunately, it's mostly the winners of a war that get to write the history. And that history, becomes slanted by the authors own feelings, prejudices, and benefactors. So, for a very long time the Settlers(aka Marauding White Settlers) declare war and then take without permission the possessions of the conquered. Then, they write their version of the truth. But Chief Sitting Bull was just a chieftian who was wishing to protect His Tribe for the on-onslaught of new Immigrants.(WHERE HAVE WE HEARD THIS STORY RECENTLY) These white (undocumented) illegal immigrants over-ran the existing peoples who had been here for centuries. Now after 110+ years, our Government is doing something very fair and just. The decendants can claim what belongs to their families. Congratulations to both sides on this. It is my hope that forgiveness and peace will come to all.
Posted by Dennis on November 24,2007 | 06:34PM
I am so pleased for you, sir, and so thankful that you have your great-grandfather's relics back and that his energy can be released. As with some of the other commentators, I too have Native American blood, and am descended from people who would not/could not discuss it. My quest, as the head of my family, is now to speak for my paternal grandfather, who was made to feel ashamed of his ancestry when he should have been proud. I will probably never be able to trace my roots in this life, but I know of their truth. My mother worked at the hospitals in Rosebud and Pine Ridge in the late 1940s; her best friend and coworker was Lakota. She's gone now, but I know that the Lakota were always in her heart. Blessings on you and your family.
Posted by Julia on November 27,2007 | 03:37PM
Aho Ernie, I pray that this message finds you and your family circle in the best of health and strong in spirit. Although I am a washichu, I have been fortunate to have many traditional Native friends and teachers. I try to follow that Good Red Road. I am grateful that you and your sisters can now assure that your great-grandfather's spirit will rest in peace in the Spirit World. Mitakuye oyasin, David Hoopes
Posted by David T. Hoopes on November 29,2007 | 01:53PM
I enjoyed this story. As a resident of Niles, MI I have often seen the pictographs drawn by Sitting Bull at our local museum. This story also reinforces my beleif that the winner gets to write the history - not allways accurately!
Posted by Todd on December 4,2007 | 11:24AM
Mr. Ernie LaPointe. I am in total agreement that the remains and possessions of this great man should be inturred at this important site. Supposedly I am a descendant of Chief Sitting Bull but in all the areas where I have researched(limited)I have been unable to find a connection which my family said is through his grandaughter who married an Englishman. My grandmother's generation never spoke any thing good of the connection but my mother, now dec, and my family are extremely proud and loyal to be a part of the legacy as we know it and which we believe is true. If anyone can assist me I would be so happy to hear from them. May you be blessed in your endeavor.
Posted by Elizabeth Mallery on December 6,2007 | 01:27AM
I am happy to hear that the desendents of Native Americans are making themselves known. I feel that we need to know the truths about the culture and the lives of the great many Chiefs. I have always felt that the history books never told the true story. I have been told that one of my great great Grandmothers was a Cherokee Indian but I haven't proved it yet but if I am suppose to know then I will. My family has an idea who it is but knowing and proving is two different things. I have always loved learning about the different Native American Tribes. Many Blessings
Posted by Vickie Franke on December 7,2007 | 08:26PM
dear ernie, has anyone performed DNA analysis on any members (or thought to be members) of your family??
Posted by duane stacey on December 9,2007 | 10:49AM
I HOPE WITH THE RETURN OF YOUR GREAT-GRANDFATHER'S RELICS HIS SPIRIT CAN FINALLY BE AT REST. HE TRIED TO DO WHAT WAS BEST FOR HIS PEOPLE. MAYBE NOW THE CIRCLE HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
Posted by louis on December 14,2007 | 04:37PM
I think that this a wonderful experience. I totally agree with the body not being whole in the spirit world unless all the pieces are together. That is one battle that I fight with myself as a Forensic Anthropology student. I know what is required in the field and how the research and study process goes but I always get that cringe when I know the mystery has been solved be "have" to keep the evidence for future study.
Posted by Rickey Hogg on December 27,2007 | 10:32AM
Hello Ernie, Good for you and your sisters. When people know who a sundancer is they will respect native ways and your own story of your people. I was especially happy to see your photo in the smithonian because I belive I walked with you to N. Y. C. to support the 2nd UN session for world disarmament in 1982. all the little children who walked with us grew up and are doing well. Marty
Posted by Marty Smith on December 30,2007 | 01:05PM
Dear Ernie, I saw your picture and article in the january issue,and to my surprise the name Lapointe came out at me with full force, as I had just finished writing a letter to the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians. I am taking my grandaughter along with all her documentation to be enrolled. Her ancestors on her fathers side are Lapointe's. He had been given up for adoption in 1975 and unfortunately is deceased, but I made a promise to him,, and that was to find his biological indian lineage. It took me almost 10 years to get his information unsealed with the courts on behalf of my grandaughter. Persistence and patience has persevered. It takes a alot of work and committment to do what you did. I know. Congratulations to you and your family. Also, where did the name Lapointe originate from within your family? Are they from Minn. or Wisc? Any info would be helpful. Thank you. Laurie
Posted by laurie on January 2,2008 | 11:30PM
Great Job. have been trying to find my linage.Am Creek.My Grandmother was full blooded.We came from Georgia to florida in1856.I am so happy for you. It is so hard to find records I am now 61yrs.old and it would be so good to find out where I came from. Good luck Betty
Posted by Betty Smith on January 14,2008 | 12:17AM
To the LaPointe Family: it is always rewarding to link with those past and even moreso when history prevails. My Great Grandfather, Jean Louis Legare' was instrumental to assist his friend Sitting Bull and Family to their return to Fort Buford on that day in July 1881. It was a day of sadness with an undercurrent of feelings I'm sure on both knowing that they are HOME with the opportunity to sleep and live well, finally. It would be a pleasure in corresponding with Mr. Ernie LaPointe and family at their leisure to share friendship past and possibly to the future. Edward.
Posted by Edward Legare on January 16,2008 | 09:31AM
I am Shahela allie to the Lakota/Ogallala and indian name is Badger Ma'ha'ko'e.from Busby, Mt..name is Donovan Taylor.I am very honored for you to recieve your grandfather back to you Ernie..Even today we need to preserve our culture and protect our people..don't forget our allies'Cheyenne, Arapahoe, Sioux's...I am also relative to Ogallala's through Young Man Afraid of His Horses from what I'm told..so..take care and I give thanks for creator so we all can be at rest...we are a proud people..we live from our ancestry..and carry our languages..cause no one can understand us.but our people..and the creator surely smiles when we excercise our hereditarial rites..god be with you brother......
Posted by Donovan Taylor Beartusk on January 23,2008 | 02:30PM
A few years back I met an Native American man at a local wedding reception who claimed to be a greatgrandson of Chief Sitting Bull. He showed me his drivers license and his name was listed as John (Sitting Bull) Buza. He lived in Taylor, Michigan, and his children went to our local schools when my family and I lived there at the time. Could this be some kind of imposter? He was rather dard-skinned and wore a silver ring with an indian chief with a full headdress. Could you clear this up for me?
Posted by Don Vogrin on February 9,2008 | 08:53AM
I am a descendant of Chief Sitting Bulls sister, she was my Great, Great Grand-mother. My family has not been to the reservation in more than a 100 years, but this does not mean that we do not exist. I do not know this Mr.Ernie Lapointe, and I can prove that I am related to sitting Bull too. My family will not be happy that those precious family artifacts were just handed over. All this time my family was honored to have those artifacts in the Smithsonian. We thought that they were in good hands, I wish that we had been notified.
Posted by Ella on March 9,2008 | 10:04AM
Mr.Lapointe. I've just read about eh return of the artifacts that complete the circle.I'm Eurpopean by birth and have no native blood, but I have many native friends and My second oldest daughter is half blood Chippewa, and I'm very proud of her. I write this because I'm ashamed of the ways that The People were treated by Europeans. Not a single treaty was honoured, and I live with that shame.To many it might mean nothing but to Me , it's important to realise that your ancestors came here and lived on th eland , had no taxes, polution disease, no ill dealings ,and did what they did with honour and integrity.what a way to govern! My dealings with what we in Canada call The First Nations are that way, I was given name by Lakota Sioux, which was affectionate, and whimsical, about 29 years ago,and i thought it to be good, and a bit funny, that name phonetically being "Atak Naholo" which means White Man. I wish you well Mr.Lapointe, and thank you for being the family needed to bring the great leader's final remains home to his sacred place. My thoughts are with your family in this wonderful time...Megwetch!
Posted by Robert Jones on April 11,2008 | 08:40PM