Vocabulary

• nomad
• sacred dog
• matriarchy
• Red Cloud
• Crazy Horse
• Sitting Bull
• Bozeman Trail
• Plains
• Sioux
• Lakota
• George Custer
• William Fetterman

Discussion Questions

1. Who introduced the horse to North America? When were horses introduced?
2. How did horses change the lifestyle and culture of the Sioux? In what ways was the Sioux culture dependent on buffalo?
3. What were some important elements of Sioux life? What is the importance of family? What did the Sioux think of the way immigrants treated their own children? What were the roles of men and women in Sioux life?
4. How did the Sioux express their spirituality? What was the importance of war in Sioux culture?
5. Why did the whites want the same land that the Sioux occupied? What was the importance of this land to the Sioux people?
6. Did the Sioux and the whites reach a resolution at the first Peace Conference at Fort Laramie? What happened at the Fetterman Massacre? Was Red Cloud willing to compromise his goals in declaring peace?
7. What were the terms of the Peace Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1868? Was this treaty upheld? Why or why not?
8. What were the intentions of the U.S. Government in bringing the war chiefs East? How did they accomplish these goals? How did visiting Washington, D.C. affect Red Cloud's role as a negotiator with the white man and as a respected leader of the Sioux?
9. Why weren't the Sioux interested in gold? What is the importance of the Black Hills to the Sioux culture?
10. What was General Custer's role at the Battle of the Little Bighorn? What was Crazy Horse's role at the Battle of the Little Bighorn? What was Sitting Bull's role in this battle? Were any of these roles premeditated?
11. Why did the Sioux surrender? How were the Sioux treated once they surrendered? How did surrendering affect the Sioux culture? How did James McLaughlin perceive Sitting Bull? Why? Was this opinion typical of whites at the time?
12. What was Sitting Bull's role in the Sioux Nation after their surrender? How was his role different than other Indian leaders at this time?
13. What was the ghost dance religion? Why did so many Indian tribes believe in this religion? How did white men perceive this religion? How did McLaughlin react to ghost dancing? What was the result of this policy?
14. How did the death of Sitting Bull affect the Sioux tribe? Why were the Indians at Big Foot moved to Wounded Knee? What happened at Wounded Knee?
15. How has the Sioux culture survived Reservation life?

Extended Projects and Activities

1. How do Americans remember Wounded Knee? How do Americans remember the Battle of the Little Bighorn? Which event is better known now? Which event was better known in the late 1800's? Are there differences and similarities in the way Americans or the Press remember these events? Why do you think these differences and similarities exist? Write a five paragraph essay using examples to explain your opinions.
2. Create a timeline of events concerning the Sioux People from 1780 until 1900.
3. The fact that many Indian Chiefs at Peace Conferences baffled Washington politicians points to large differences in diplomacy and governance between the Native American tribes and the whites. Establish a delegation from Washington, D.C. and a delegation of Indian Chiefs in your classroom. Considering the interests of your people and the circumstances of the late 1800's try to negotiate a peace treaty. Try your hardest to stay true to the beliefs and demands of your interest group. Choose one or two mediators to outline negotiations on the board for clarity.