Little Wolf, also known as Ohcumgache or Ohkomhakit, was born around 1820 in present-day Montana. He grew up among the Northern Só’taeo’o (Cheyenne) people, learning their customs, traditions, and ways of life. As a young man, he quickly gained a reputation for his bravery, intelligence, and military prowess, becoming a respected leader within his tribe.
By the mid-1840s, Little Wolf had emerged as a prominent chieftain of the Northern Cheyenne. He led a group of skilled warriors called the “Elk Horn Scrapers” during the Northern Plains Wars, a series of conflicts between various Native American tribes and the encroaching United States government and settlers. Under his leadership, the Northern Cheyenne achieved numerous victories, bolstering his reputation as a formidable military tactician.
One of the most significant conflicts Little Wolf participated in was Red Cloud’s War, a fight for control of the Bozeman Trail, which ran through the heart of traditional Cheyenne hunting grounds. This conflict, which lasted from 1866 to 1868, resulted in the United States government recognizing the sovereignty of the Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and other tribes over the area.
As chief, Little Wolf signed the Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1868, which sought to bring peace between the Northern Cheyenne and the United States. The treaty, however, did not prevent further encroachment on Native American lands, ultimately leading to more conflict and the decline of the traditional Cheyenne way of life.
Little Wolf’s wisdom and leadership qualities were further recognized when he was chosen as one of the “Old Man” chiefs within the Council of Forty-four, a high honor in traditional Cheyenne culture. Additionally, he was chosen as Sweet Medicine Chief, bearer of the spiritual incarnation of Sweet Medicine, a primary culture hero and spiritual ancestor of the Cheyenne people. As a Sweet Medicine Chief, Little Wolf was expected to remain above anger and self-interest, always putting the welfare of his people first.
In 1878, Little Wolf led a daring escape, known as the Northern Cheyenne Exodus, from confinement in Oklahoma back to the Northern Cheyenne homeland in present-day Montana. Despite facing harsh conditions and armed resistance from the United States Army, Little Wolf’s leadership and military tactics enabled many of his people to make it back to their ancestral lands.
Little Wolf continued to be a strong advocate for his people’s rights and well-being until his death in 1904. His life and legacy remain an important part of Cheyenne history and are a testament to the resilience and strength of the Cheyenne people in the face of adversity.