Little Crow (1810-1863) was a significant figure in the history of the Dakota people and the United States. As a leader and chief of the Mdewakanton Dakota tribe, he played a central role in the events leading up to, during, and after the Dakota War of 1862. An experienced and respected warrior, Little Crow fought to defend the land, resources, and sovereignty of his people against American encroachment and expansion. This article provides a biography of Little Crow's life and times, examining his early years, his leadership during the Dakota War, his relationship with the US government and other tribal nations, his death, and his enduring legacy.
1. Early Life and Family Background of Little Crow
Childhood and Education
Little Crow was born in 1810 as Taoyateduta, which means "His Red People" in the Dakota language. He grew up in the Mdewakanton Dakota tribe, which was one of the four tribes comprising the Dakota people.
As a young boy, Little Crow received traditional Dakota education and learned how to hunt, fish, and farm. He also received training in the art of warfare and gained valuable leadership skills from his father, who was a respected leader in their tribe.
Family and Tribal Connections
Little Crow was born into a prominent family in his tribe. His father, Cetanwakuwa, was a chief and a renowned warrior. His mother, Wiciktepiwin, belonged to a family of healers and medicine men. Little Crow was the second of his father's three sons, and all of them would become influential leaders in the Dakota tribe.
Throughout his life, Little Crow maintained close connections with other Dakota tribes and often formed alliances with them to strengthen their political and military power.
2. Little Crow's Role in the Dakota War of 1862
Causes and Context of the War
The Dakota War of 1862 was a conflict between the Dakota people and the United States government. The war was sparked by the failure of the government to provide payments promised to the Dakota people in exchange for their land. The Dakota people were also facing severe food shortages and were struggling to survive.
Little Crow played a significant role in the war as one of the leaders of the Dakota forces. He believed that the only way to protect his people from further injustices was to fight back against the US government.
Little Crow's Military Tactics and Leadership
Little Crow was a skilled military strategist and led the Dakota forces in several successful battles against the US army. He used traditional Dakota tactics such as surprise attacks and hit-and-run raids to keep the US forces off balance. He also made use of modern weapons such as rifles, which the Dakota had obtained from traders and settlers.
Throughout the war, Little Crow remained a charismatic and inspiring leader for his people. He was able to rally the Dakota forces and maintain their morale, despite facing overwhelming odds.
Outcome of the War and Its Aftermath
The Dakota War of 1862 ended in a decisive victory for the US government. Little Crow and his forces were eventually defeated, and many Dakota were forced to flee their homes and live in exile.
Little Crow himself was killed by a settler in 1863 while attempting to negotiate a peace agreement with the US government.
The war had a devastating impact on the Dakota people, with many being forced to leave their ancestral lands and relocate to reservations. It also marked a turning point in the relationship between the Dakota people and the US government.
3. Treaty of Traverse des Sioux and its Consequences
Negotiation and Terms of the Treaty
The Treaty of Traverse des Sioux was signed in 1851 between the US government and the Dakota people. The treaty ceded a large tract of Dakota land to the US government in exchange for annuities and other promises.
Little Crow was one of the signatories of the treaty, but he later became disillusioned with the government's failure to live up to its promises. He saw the treaty as a betrayal of his people's rights and was one of the leaders who advocated for resistance against the US government.
Impact on Dakota Lands and Livelihoods
The Treaty of Traverse des Sioux had a significant impact on the Dakota people, as it forced them to give up a large portion of their ancestral lands. This had a devastating effect on their livelihoods, as they were no longer able to hunt, fish, or farm in the same way as before.
The US government's failure to provide promised annuities and goods also exacerbated the Dakota people's economic struggles, leading to widespread poverty and hunger.
Dissatisfaction and Resistance from Dakota People
The Treaty of Traverse des Sioux led to widespread dissatisfaction and resistance among the Dakota people. Many felt that they had been deceived by the US government and were determined to fight back against further injustices.
Little Crow was one of the leaders of this resistance movement, and his role in the Dakota War of 1862 was a direct result of his frustrations with the government's broken promises.
4. Life as a Chief and Leader of the Dakota People
Leadership Qualities and Style
Little Crow was a charismatic and visionary leader who was deeply committed to the welfare of his people. He was known for his strong personality and his ability to inspire and rally his followers.
His leadership style was characterized by a combination of traditional Dakota values and modern political strategies. He advocated for cooperation and unity among the Dakota tribes and was always looking for ways to strengthen their political and military power.
Relations with Other Tribal Nations and the US Government
Little Crow had complex relationships with other tribal nations and the US government. He was a fierce advocate for the rights of his people and was not afraid to speak out against injustice, even if it meant challenging the US government directly.
At the same time, he recognized the importance of alliances with other tribes and was always looking for ways to build bridges and strengthen relationships between different groups.
Efforts to Preserve Dakota Culture and Traditions
Throughout his life, Little Crow was deeply committed to preserving the culture and traditions of the Dakota people. He believed that these values were essential to the survival and well-being of his people and worked tirelessly to pass them on to future generations.
He was a respected elder and mentor to many young Dakota leaders and was always willing to share his knowledge and experience with others. His legacy as a champion of Dakota culture and traditions continues to inspire his people to this day.
5. Conflict with American Settlers and Government Officials
Encroachment on Dakota Lands and Resources
As American settlers began to encroach on Dakota lands, tensions began to rise between the two groups. The Dakota people relied heavily on their traditional lands for hunting and gathering, and the arrival of settlers disrupted their way of life. This led to clashes and conflicts between the two groups over resources such as game, water, and land.
Legal and Political Maneuvers by Dakota Leaders
Dakota leaders such as Little Crow sought to protect their people's rights and lands through legal and political maneuvers. In 1851, Little Crow and other Dakota leaders signed the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux, which ceded large amounts of land to the United States government. However, the treaty was signed under duress, and the Dakota people did not receive the compensation promised to them.
Response of the US Government and Military
The United States government and military responded to the conflicts with force, launching campaigns to remove the Dakota from their lands. In 1862, tensions boiled over into the Dakota War, in which Little Crow and his followers fought against the US military. The war ended in defeat for the Dakota, and Little Crow was forced to flee.
6. Little Crow's Life and Legacy
Circumstances of Little Crow's Death
Little Crow was ultimately killed in 1863 by a white settler seeking revenge for the Dakota War. His remains were buried in an unmarked grave, and it was not until many years later that a memorial was erected in his honor.
Reactions and Responses from Dakota People and the United States
Little Crow's death was a significant blow to the Dakota people, who saw him as a strong, visionary leader. In the United States, his death was largely ignored, and his contributions to Dakota and American history were largely forgotten or dismissed.
Legacy of Little Crow in Dakota and American History
Despite this neglect, Little Crow's legacy is still celebrated by many Dakota people today. He is remembered as a courageous leader who fought for his people's rights and lands in the face of overwhelming opposition. His story serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for recognition and justice faced by indigenous people in the United States.
7. Representation of Little Crow in Popular Culture and Historical Memory
Depictions of Little Crow in Art, Literature, and Film
Little Crow has been depicted in various works of art, literature, and film, although these depictions have often been stereotypical or inaccurate. For example, in the 1951 film "The Savage," Little Crow is portrayed as a savage and bloodthirsty warrior, rather than the intelligent and strategic leader he was in reality.
Contemporary Debates and Perspectives on Little Crow's Place in History
In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of Little Crow's place in history, and efforts to reclaim his legacy from centuries of neglect and misrepresentation. This has included initiatives to erect new memorials in his honor, as well as scholarly work to uncover and share the true story of his life and times.Little Crow's life and legacy represent a complex and challenging chapter in the history of the United States and the Dakota people. Despite the controversies and conflicts that surrounded him, Little Crow remains a symbol of courage, leadership, and resilience for many Indigenous people and allies today. By learning about his life and times, we can gain a deeper understanding of the political, social, and cultural forces that shaped the past and continue to influence the present.
FAQ
Who was Little Crow?
Little Crow was a chief and leader of the Mdewakanton Dakota tribe who lived from 1810 to 1863. He played a significant role in the Dakota War of 1862, an armed conflict between Dakota people and the US government and settlers.
What was the Dakota War of 1862?
The Dakota War of 1862 was an armed conflict between Dakota people and the US government and settlers in what is now Minnesota. The war was sparked by a combination of factors, including broken treaties, unfair treatment of Dakota people, and a food shortage caused by crop failures. Little Crow was one of the leaders of the Dakota forces in the war.
What was the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux?
The Treaty of Traverse des Sioux was a treaty signed in 1851 between the US government and several Dakota tribes, including the Mdewakanton Dakota. The treaty ceded a large area of Dakota land to the US government in exchange for annuities, goods, and services. The treaty had a significant impact on the lives and livelihoods of Dakota people, and was a key factor in the Dakota War of 1862.
What is Little Crow's legacy?
Little Crow's legacy is complex and contested. He is remembered by many Indigenous people and allies as a heroic leader who fought for the rights and sovereignty of his people. However, he is also often portrayed in popular culture and historical memory as a savage and violent figure. Little Crow's legacy continues to be debated and re-evaluated as part of ongoing efforts to recognize and address the injustices and traumas of colonialism and imperialism.
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Chief Little Crow was the eldest son of Cetanwakuwa (Charging Hawk). It was on account of his father's name, mistranslated Crow, that he was called by the whites "Little Crow." His real name was Taoyateduta, His Red People.
As far back as Minnesota history goes, a band of the Sioux called Kaposia (Light Weight, because they were said to travel light) inhabited the Mille Lacs region.
Later they dwelt about St. Croix Falls, and still later near St. Paul. In 1840, Cetanwakuwa was still living in what is now West St. Paul, but he was soon after killed by the accidental discharge of his gun.
It was during a period of demoralization for the Kaposias that Little Crow became the leader of his people. His father, a well-known chief, had three wives, all from different bands of the Sioux. He was the only son of the first wife, a Leaf Dweller. There were two sons of the second and two of the third wife, and the second set of brothers conspired to kill their half-brother in order to keep the chieftainship in the family. Two kegs of whisky were bought, and all the men of the tribe invited to a feast. It was planned to pick some sort of quarrel when all were drunk, and in the confusion Little Crow was to be murdered.
The plot went smoothly until the last instant, when a young brave saved the intended victim by knocking the gun aside with his hatchet, so that the shot went wild. However, it broke his right arm, which remained crooked all his life. The friends of the young chieftain hastily withdrew, avoiding a general fight; and later the council of the Kaposias condemned the two brothers, both of whom were executed, leaving him in undisputed possession. Such was the opening of a stormy career.
Little Crow's mother had been a chief's daughter, celebrated for her beauty and spirit, and it is said that she used to plunge him into the lake through a hole in the ice, rubbing him afterward with snow, to strengthen his nerves, and that she would remain with him alone in the deep woods for days at a time, so that he might know that solitude is good, and not fear to be alone with nature. "My son," she would say, "if you are to be a leader of men, you must listen in silence to the mystery, the spirit."
At a very early age she made a feast for her boy and announced that he would fast two days. This is what might be called a formal presentation to the spirit or God. She greatly desired him to become a worthy leader according to the ideas of her people. It appears that she left her husband when he took a second wife, and lived with her own band till her death. She did not marry again. Little Crow was an intensely ambitious man and without physical fear. He was always in perfect training and early acquired the art of warfare of the Indian type. It is told of him that when he was about ten years old, he engaged with other boys in a sham battle on the shore of a lake near St. Paul.
Both sides were encamped at a little distance from one another, and the rule was that the enemy must be surprised, otherwise the attack would be considered a failure. One must come within so many paces undiscovered in order to be counted successful. Our hero had a favorite dog which, at his earnest request, was allowed to take part in the game, and as a scout he entered the enemy camp unseen, by the help of his dog.
When he was twelve, he saved the life of a companion who had broken through the ice by tying the end of a pack line to a log, then at great risk to himself carrying it to the edge of the hole where his comrade went down. It is said that he also broke in, but both boys saved themselves by means of the line. As a young man, Little Crow was always ready to serve his people as a messenger to other tribes, a duty involving much danger and hardship.
He was also known as one of the best hunters in his band. Although still young, he had already a war record when he became chief of the Kaposias, at a time when the Sioux were facing the greatest and most far-reaching changes that had ever come to them. At this juncture in the history of the northwest and its native inhabitants, the various fur companies had paramount influence. They did not hesitate to impress the Indians with the idea that they were the authorized representatives of the white races or peoples, and they were quick to realize the desirability of controlling the natives through their most influential chiefs.
Little Crow became quite popular with post traders and factors. He was an orator as well as a diplomat, and one of the first of his nation to indulge in politics and promote unstable schemes to the detriment of his people. When the United States Government went into the business of acquiring territory from the Indians so that the flood of western settlement might not be checked, commissions were sent out to negotiate treaties, and in case of failure it often happened that a delegation of leading men of the tribe were invited to Washington. At that period, these visiting chiefs, attired in all the splendor of their costumes of ceremony, were treated like ambassadors from foreign countries.
One winter in the late eighteen-fifties, a major general of the army gave a dinner to the Indian chiefs then in the city, and on this occasion Little Crow was appointed toastmaster. There were present a number of Senators and members of Congress, as well as judges of the Supreme Court, cabinet officers, and other distinguished citizens.
When all the guests were seated, the Sioux arose and addressed them with much dignity as follows: "Warriors and friends: I am informed that the great white war chief who of his generosity and comradeship has given us this feast, has expressed the wish that we may follow to-night the usages and customs of my people. In other words, this is a warriors' feast, a braves' meal. I call upon the
Ojibway chief, the Hole-in-the-Day, to give the lone wolf's hunger call, after which we will join him in our usual manner."
The tall and handsome Ojibway now rose and straightened his superb form to utter one of the clearest and longest wolf howls that was ever heard in Washington, and at its close came a tremendous burst of war whoops that fairly rent the air, and no doubt electrified the officials there present.
On one occasion Little Crow was invited by the commander of Fort Ridgeley, Minnesota, to call at the fort. On his way back, in company with a half-breed named Ross and the interpreter Mitchell, he was ambushed by a party of Ojibways, and again wounded in the same arm that had been broken in his attempted assassination.
His companion Ross was killed, but he managed to hold the war party at bay until help came and thus saved his life. More and more as time passed, this naturally brave and ambitious man became a prey to the selfish interests of the traders and politicians. The immediate causes of the Sioux outbreak of 1862 came in quick succession to inflame to desperate action an outraged people. The two bands on the so-called "lower reservations" in Minnesota were Indians for whom nature had provided most abundantly in their free existence.
After one hundred and fifty years of friendly intercourse first with the French, then the English, and finally the Americans, they found themselves cut off from every natural resource, on a tract of land twenty miles by thirty, which to them was virtual imprisonment.
By treaty stipulation with the government, they were to be fed and clothed, houses were to be built for them, the men taught agriculture, and schools provided for the children. In addition to this, a trust fund of a million and a half was to be set aside for them, at five per cent interest, the interest to be paid annually per capita. They had signed the treaty under pressure, believing in these promises on the faith of a great nation.
However, on entering the new life, the resources so rosily described to them failed to materialize. Many families faced starvation every winter, their only support the store of the Indian trader, who was baiting his trap for their destruction. Very gradually they awoke to the facts.
At last it was planned to secure from them the north half of their reservation for ninety-eight thousand dollars, but it was not explained to the Indians that the traders were to receive all the money. Little Crow made the greatest mistake of his life when he signed this agreement. Meanwhile, to make matters worse, the cash annuities were not paid for nearly two years. Civil War had begun.
When it was learned that the traders had taken all of the ninety-eight thousand dollars "on account", there was very bitter feeling. In fact, the heads of the leading stores were afraid to go about as usual, and most of them stayed in St. Paul.
Little Crow was justly held in part responsible for the deceit, and his life was not safe. The murder of a white family near Acton, Minnesota, by a party of Indian duck hunters in August, 1862, precipitated the break. Messengers were sent to every village with the news, and at the villages of Little Crow and Little Six the war council was red-hot.
It was proposed to take advantage of the fact that north and south were at war to wipe out the white settlers and to regain their freedom. A few men stood out against such a desperate step, but the conflagration had gone beyond their control. There were many mixed bloods among these Sioux, and some of the Indians held that these were accomplices of the white people in robbing them of their possessions, therefore their lives should not be spared. My father, Many Lightnings, who was practically the leader of the Mankato band (for Mankato, the chief, was a weak man), fought desperately for the lives of the half-breeds and the missionaries.
The chiefs had great confidence in my father, yet they would not commit themselves, since their braves were clamoring for blood. Little Crow had been accused of all the misfortunes of his tribe, and he now hoped by leading them against the whites to regain his prestige with his people, and a part at least of their lost domain.
There were moments when the pacifists were in grave peril. It was almost daybreak when my father saw that the approaching calamity could not be prevented.
He and two others said to Little Crow: "If you want war, you must personally lead your men to-morrow. We will not murder women and children, but we will fight the soldiers when they come."
They then left the council and hastened to warn my brother-in-law, Faribault, and others who were in danger. Little Crow declared he would be seen in the front of every battle, and it is true that he was foremost in all the succeeding bloodshed, urging his warriors to spare none.
He ordered his war leader, Many Hail, to fire the first shot, killing the trader James Lynd, in the door of his store. After a year of fighting in which he had met with defeat, the discredited chief retreated to Fort Garry, now Winnipeg, Manitoba, where, together with Standing Buffalo, he undertook secret negotiations with his old friends the Indian traders.
There was now a price upon his head, but he planned to reach St. Paul undetected and there surrender himself to his friends, who he hoped would protect him in return for past favors. It is true that he had helped them to secure perhaps the finest country held by any Indian nation for a mere song.
He left Canada with a few trusted friends, including his youngest and favorite son. When within two or three days' journey of St. Paul, he told the others to return, keeping with him only his son, Wowinape, who was but fifteen years of age.
He meant to steal into the city by night and go straight to Governor Ramsey, who was his personal friend.
He was very hungry and was obliged to keep to the shelter of the deep woods. The next morning, as he was picking and eating wild raspberries, he was seen by a wood-chopper named Lamson.
The man did not know who he was. He only knew that he was an Indian, and that was enough for him, so he lifted his rifle to his shoulder and fired, then ran at his best pace.
The brilliant but misguided chief, who had made that part of the country unsafe for any white man to live in, sank to the ground and died without a struggle.
The boy took his father's gun and made some effort to find the assassin, but as he did not even know in which direction to look for him, he soon gave up the attempt and went back to his friends.
Meanwhile Lamson reached home breathless and made his report. The body of the chief was found and identified, in part by the twice broken arm, and this arm and his scalp may be seen to-day in the collection of the Minnesota Historical Society.
written by Charles Eastmen, 1913