When The White Horse Danced

When The White Horse Danced

In 2007, Home Box Office (HBO) changed the narrative of how Hollywood depicted the American West and how it was won. The film, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, a cinematic version of author Dee Brown’s book of the same name, published in 1971, made it’s way into millions of living rooms throughout the world. The message of this film brought into light the injustices, heartaches, and cruelty of American Indians through the lives of two individuals (Spirituality & Practice, 2006). One, a legendary Sioux writer Ohiesa, sent away from his tribe to learn how to be white at a young age. The other, Sitting Bull, a great Sioux Chief in the midst of oppression. One was a story of assimilation, the other a story of leadership and courage.

The reasons stand out in choosing this film. Both principles of how a leader performs exists in this story. The impressions of the main characters have opposing principles; a leader does what he is told no matter if it is right or wrong, and a leader does what is right no matter what he is told. Ohiesa, taking the white name of Charles Eastman to honor his father’s wishes exhibits the first principle, while Sitting Bull, always thinking of his people first, exhibits the second. While they are both present and worthy of mention because of continued existence, the latter shall be the focus, on the man who does what is right no matter what he is told.

Traits Make The Man

Sitting Bull was born sometime between 1831 and 1837 into a Hunkpapa Lakota family. His birth name was Jumping Badger, born somewhere around the Grand and Missouri River Confluence in today’s South Dakota (U.S. National Parks Service, 2019). His father and both of his uncles were chiefs. Boyhood games and contests were a way of life, which he participated in and practiced, gaining traits such as bravery, intelligence, and cunning. He developed into a successful hunter and stood out for aligning himself with virtues of wisdom, bravery, and being generous to others. His first skirmish with an enemy was at age 14, where for his bravery, was honored with the name Tatanka-Ilotanka (Sitting Bull).

These traits would thrust Sitting Bull into a prestigious society called The Strong Hearts Society. This elite group of warriors acted as a sort of governance and guidance across the seven bands of Lakota and shield against their enemies. He quickly rose in rank, becoming a sash wearer, and finally the leader of the society (NPS, 2019). Many of these members participated in trade and relations with the white expansionists, however, Sitting Bull remained in vocal avoidance of the relations and adherence to their right to roam across the plains. Although the film does not depict his early years, it is important to know the traits that made this man a great leader.

Environment, Style & Skill

The film begins at the Battle of Little Big Horn where the Sioux and other bands of warriors combined forces to defeat the U.S. Calvary led by General George Custer (Spirituality & Practice, 2006). By 1876, The strong Hearts, led by Sitting Bull and other chiefs like Red Cloud and Crazy Horse had seen many victories against U.S. soldiers. The leadership style of a war chief can only be summarized with an authoritarian style, however, Sitting Bull valued the cultural opinions of all the clans and honored their decisions. His extension of such a democratic style is what propelled Sitting Bull to hold the title of Supreme leader of the Sioux clans for twenty-two years (Russel, 2015). He had a distinguished skill in the development of others that earned him the greatest respect.

During his time as Supreme leader, Sitting Bull amounted many acts of courage and valor fighting along side his people. His presence became reverent among other warriors to the point their battle cry became, “Sitting Bull I am here!” (Tomes, 2018) to intimidate their enemies. While other chiefs were willed into expansionist treaties, Sitting Bull resisted. Taking his people north across the Canadian Border where the U.S. could not reach them.

The film portrays the next few years as harsh for his people, without the abundance of buffalo, Sitting Bull allows some volunteers to return to their home and onto the reservations. After four years, and in desperation of his people, Sitting Bull returned, giving his rifle to the agent in protest.

His environment turned from a revered chief of the people to broken and humiliated at every turn by the white authorities. He spent Two years in prison and returned to standing rock where Indians were told by authorities to recognize no chiefs. Sitting bull resisted putting his name on any of the attempts the white authorities tried to coerce the Indians into. He also resisted the instructions to farm from the Standing Rock agent. Sitting Bull remained persistent to protest the treachery of the white peoples lies even after losing influence among his people (Spirituality & Practice, 2006).

Opposing Views & Resistance

Sitting Bull’s influence was revealed in a final gesture to the white authorities where he argued against their lies in front of other Indians and chiefs that had previously signed treaties in an effort for peace. To the whites, he was a thorn in their side, but to the Indians, he had spoken for all of them once more. His words led to the other chiefs and Indians walking out of the meeting without signing one name to the additional requirements to the treaty. In his old age, Sitting Bull was steadfast in his willingness to take responsibility for all Lakota people. It was his courage, generosity, and core values of transformational leadership that made him great among his people (Russel, 2015).

These same traits, skills and values that made him the greatest threat among the other whites in the film. On December 15^th 1890, police were dispatched to arrest Sitting Bull at his home for his participation in Ghost Dance. Indians were forbidden to practice ceremony of any kind while in captivity (Tomes, 2021). When some of his supporters tried to help him, a scuffle occurred resulting in Sitting bull being shot and killed. During the scuffle, Sitting Bull’s white horse reared up and danced while some paused to its attention, believing  it was an omen. A shot rang out killing a soldier, The next shot went into Sitting Bull’s heart.

The film ends on Dec 28^th, 1890, with the Wounded Knee Massacre in a 7^th Calvary attempt to confiscate weapons from the Indians (Spirituality & Practice, 2006). Hundreds of Sitting Bull’s followers were massacred, including women and children. Life for the Lakota has been a hardship since.

Strength & Generosity

There may have been a different outcome if Sitting Bull had been younger. He may have asked his supporters to stand down, however, his supporters knew he had been broken. They were over the whites oppressing their leader and they stood up to defend him. He could not change his values after all he had been through. He could not put down being responsible for them, even when he was weakened by oppression. It was his generosity for his clans and love for their belonging that remains an infinite part of his time on Earth. What he left behind was a style of leadership to emulate, a few blood relatives, and his name that will never be forgotten.

It seems far fetched to be a strong leader, and to be a generous teacher. To put others before yourself is a strength that is rarely seen, yet the most sought after from a follower’s perspective. Transformative leadership inspires. It sets a consistent vision, mission, and values that all are inspired to achieve (Northouse, 2019). To be able to hold onto a vision in spite of oppression seems unachievable, yet worth much study and practice. Even a small portion of this is better than doing what you are told no matter whether it is right or wrong. Sitting Bull held on to the vision of his people. It became his vision, and he never let go. These skills I wish to know.

Figure 1: Photo of Sitting Bull taken by Ohiesa (Charles Eastman) (Tomes, 2021)

References:

Northouse, P. G. (2019). Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice. Sage Publications, Inc.

Russell, P. (2015, December 22). Lead like a tribal chief: Leadership lessons from Sitting Bull. TrainingZone. https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/lead/culture/lead-like-a-tribal-chief-leadership-lessons-from-sitting-bull

Spirituality & Practice. (2006). Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee | Film Review | https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/films/reviews/view/28334/bury-my-heart-at-wounded-knee

Tomes, L. (2021, January 18). 9 Key Facts About Chief Sitting Bull. History Hit. https://www.historyhit.com/facts-about-chief-sitting-bull/

U.S. National Park Service. (2019, August 8). Sitting Bull - Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument https://www.nps.gov/libi/learn/historyculture/sitting-bull.htm