|
Post by Spirit of the Owl Woman on May 22, 2011 22:25:46 GMT -5
While looking for docs on the children of Mary Iciyapewin Trudell, b. 1815, MN, and Francis Trudell, b. 1803 in Canada/MN?. I came across a Mary Trudell-Faribault, b. 1849, widow, in the Sisseton Agency, Lake Traverse, 1932 and 1933 ICS.
Who was Mary Trudell Faribault married to?
According to Find A Grave, Mary and Francis Trudell had the following children:
Samuel F. Trudell (1839-?) Frank Hepi Trudell (1840-1921) Rose Trudell (1841-?) Joseph Trudell (1844-?) Henry Trudell (1847-1921) August Tatoheya Trudell (1849-1914) Elizabeth Trudell (1851-?) Marie Isabella Trudell (1851-?) Peter Trudell (1853-1918) Levi Francis Trudell (1854-1930) Leandre Trudell (1855-?) Ellen Trudell (1856-?) Louisa Pejisnahuihauwin Trudell (1857-1886)
Could this Marie Isabella be the same Mary Trudell on the '32 and '33 ICS?
Thank you for any info on Mary.
Lavanah
|
|
|
Post by Spirit of the Owl Woman on May 12, 2011 9:20:40 GMT -5
Kiktewin is spelled like this on the '86 (Kiktewinna), and on the '87, '90, '92, '93, '94, Kiktewin. I don't believe there is a misspelling. The "e" sound is the sound of a long "a" as in the word "they." The "a" in Dakota has the sound of the "a" in "father." To Kill or To Kill One's Own or To Kill for One's Own. She probably was very possessive of her own things when she was little and this may have been the reason this name was given to her, but I am being presumptuous here. We don't really know for a fact.
|
|
|
Post by Spirit of the Owl Woman on May 8, 2011 19:26:43 GMT -5
Regarding the healing ceremony and what to expect--dress code; I have received the following messages from Sherwyn Zephier and Tokala Two Elk:
It is good that you want to make a ceremony program, but for the most part, it's not the normal way to do a ceremony. It's not like church or any other kind of structured prayer. We don't know what song will be sung or how the prayers will go, but we can talk about the reasons for why it's important to hold the ceremony. Generally speaking: The ceremony is usually started with songs that will clear the air, Protection from thoughts of people who are carrying harmful thoughts in their minds. Then there will be prayers to make regarding the 'Main Reason/Purpose' for the ceremony. Then, they will call the Spirits through song to be there, songs will be to ask for the Spirits to hold Council and Heal those that are requesting help for healing. There will be Thank You songs, then Send the Spirits back Home song. That is generally how it will go. Maybe Takala can help with any other particulars that you may want to put on the program. This is all that I can say about the ceremony.
Sherwyn
From Tokala Two Elk:
I am the founder of "Journey to Healing" for our Western communities on the Rosebud that were exposed to the use of alcohol from a local liquor store in Norris SD. This alcohol use broke up and destroyed a "good Lakota way of life'' to our Lakota families that were living a alcohol and drug free life, with good energy, and good intentions. Journey to Healing began in 1991 and continued on until 2003. A three-year grant from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, called Lakol Wicoun Project, funded this project. It was administered by Sinte Gleska University. We gather at four directions, away from the liqour store (23 miles the furtherest) every first Saturday in May, and we walk towards the center. During our walk, we stop three times and pray. The fourth stop is in the center of a circle North of the liquor store, in a community called Corn Creek. We did this through consultation from my family of medicine men and elders. We explained why our walk must be done this way. We were dealing with spirits that were injured and killed from the use of alcohol coming from the liquor store. Alcohol ruined our communities and families. Through the teachings of our Oceti Sakowin (Seven Council Fires) were taught these ways to bring healing, peace, and harmony to our people. For Canton, I am already preparing, with family, and ceremony, on how we are going to conduct this rite. For the Program, the location of where ceremony begins will be where we park our cars, and it will be our first pause of four in our journey to visit our ancestors who have passed on. We will be bringing a loaded canupa and spiritual food from our homes, so respect must be shown by all, proper attire, men must wear pants, women must wear skirts, no shorts,
At this Insane Asylum, all who are buried there were exposed and treated worse than our relatives, the wamakaskan (animals) when they are captured, and sustained in a closed environment. All of our relatives buried here believed in our "Canupa Wakan" (Sacred and Holy Pipe) that the Pte San Win (White Buffalo Calf Woman) brought to our Oceti Sakowin, from our Creator/God and our star relatives. Our relatives who have passed on, were placed here because they did not want to believe in a forced religion that the government and the missionaries conspired in to force all Native Americans to beleive in. If a Native American was not baptized in one of the two churches, (at that time in "Dakota Country"), Catholic or Episcopal they were considered a savage, a heathen, AND BE SENT TO HELL.
Even though we, the Oceti Sakowin, lived a daily life that was "spirit-based" and we glowed from the sacred-holy energy living it daily, we were so sacred, and holy, that we respected each other's sacredness by not having eye contact with each other, and by calling each other by relative terms, and much more. We were so sensitive to life here on Mother Earth, we cried when Mother Earth was injured, this we still do, she is our 6th direction, our sixth pinch of tobacco, when we Lakota-Dakota-Nakota pray and load our Sacred and Holy Canupa, with our seven pinches of tobacco. In translation of prayer, to English, when we say "let us pray", in Oceti Sakowin language we mean let us "cry". They, our Grandfathers and Grandmothers, felt very hurt, physically-mentally-spiritually, for being placed in a locked down situation, never to see their relatives, never to practice our good way of prayer, or to visit our sacred, and holy places, especially where "LOVE" comes from, the womb, our "HOME", and those relaives, that live in that home, and in the community. Our elders have taught and showed us "to have pity for one another" - "Unsikcila Unpo". They told us not to fight amongest each other for it creates violence and hatred. We use the teachings of bravery (Woohitika) to address something that needs change. Today, we are addressing a great spiritual "WOUND" that has created fear of "mental institutions", distrust to the medical practices of the government. We are using Woohitika-bravery to come forward today, to take part in this ceremony of HEALING, for our people, and for "those who do not know". I want to thank my relative Lavanah for stepping forward, and picking up this tremendous weight of LOVE and Hatred, that Harold Iron Shield has left behind for us to carry on to find Peace and Love as a resolution for those families who have suffered here, body-mind-spirit, and the younger generations still coming. The second and third stop will each be a pause in life that we make in respect for the life energy we have in our bodys, with the forth and final stop at the burial grounds. At this time I want All relatives to release tears of pain for those Sisters, Aunties, Brothers, Uncles, Grandpas, Grandmas, for their suffering (Wokakija) without anger. Mitakuye (my relatives) we cannot change history. History has come and gone. What we can do, today, as we breath, we can all, first make peace, first to ourselves to address the huge weight of ANGER that we carry daily, and how we show to our young through the use of alcohol and drugs, and need to make amends, first to our selves, our body-the physical state, our mind-the mental state, SPIRIT-the Spirit state. Then, to our relatives, friends, tribes, and nations. My Brothers and Sisters, walk a mile in my ancestors moccasins, and you will know how we feel today. Love You All. MITAKUYE OYASIN (ALL MY RELATIVES)
|
|
|
Post by Spirit of the Owl Woman on May 6, 2011 10:08:42 GMT -5
Hiawatha Scared Burial Site Ceremony Update
So far we have been able to get the Lakota Country Times and the Native Sun News to post the ceremony, along with several other Indian sites.
The Mendota Mdewakanton Community, Vice Chair, Sharon Lennartson, has promised to do all she can to get the word out and to post on their site.
Claude Tokala Two Elk, spiritual leader of the Rosebud Rez will be leading the ceremony.
Sherwyn Zephier family will be drumming and singing in full regalia.
The Canton Mayor, Elizabeth Bowling and Canton Historical Society photo journalist will be attending.
Harold Ironshield's family will be attending. Along with many others from the Yankton Community. I am encouraging children of grade school age to attend with their parents as this is important for them to see and learn our ways.
This being the first year to resume these ceremonies, I think is going well. I have attempted to call an ALL NATIONS event but think only the Sioux will be represented this year. I have contacted many nations in Oklahoma, Montana and as far as the Hopi and Gila reservations in order to get the word out. This is an unknown piece of history and I am hoping to make more and more tribes aware.
There will be coffee and sandwiches in the meeting room of the golf course for post ceremony get together. So if anyone on the Oyate site is planning to attend, please let me know so that I can have enough for everyone. Donations will be accepted.
lavanah.judah@gmail.com
Thank you all for being so supportive for this very special healing ceremony. And, if you are unable to attend this year, perhaps you might mark your calendar for the 2nd weekend in May for next year.
I look forward to seeing and meeting many of you for the first time.
Lavanah
|
|
|
Post by Spirit of the Owl Woman on May 1, 2011 21:05:57 GMT -5
Ki=prep. in comp. to, for, of. It is often prefixed to verbs or incorporated in them: as kikte, to kill, kikte, to kill for one; kaga, to make, kicaga, to make for or to one; Ki, used in a pronoun means ONES OWN.
I have translated this name on the early Dakota ICS on Ancestry.com for the Yankton's to mean, TO KILL FOR ONES OWN. I have started to translate the earliest '86, '87 and '90 Indian Census Rolls for the Yanktons from Dakota to English and also finding their name changes to English names and referencing the Dakota Indian name to the new American name.
It is a slow process but I felt the job needed to be done as most do not speak Dakota and probably discount those early census records because they are too difficult but there is rich findings in those earliest records.
Ref; Dakota-English Dictionary, by Stephen R Riggs.
Lavanah
|
|
|
Post by Spirit of the Owl Woman on Mar 28, 2011 13:39:34 GMT -5
Thank You Canton Country Club Golf Course!
Dear Kelly,
I can't tell you how refreshing it was to talk with you about our upcoming healing and prayer ceremony at the sacred burial site there on the golf course. We are planning this to be an annual event every 2nd weekend in May.
I want to thank you for offering the room, which accommodates 100 people, for a post ceremony gathering so that we may have a bite to eat (I have invited people to bring a box lunch) and meet those that were able to attend this year. I promise to make sure it is left as you gave it to us. Your offer to assist Elder's to and from the sacred burial site with your golf carts was most touching and my heart is full.
As I stated to you over the phone, I will keep you updated periodically prior to the event as more information comes in.
Thank you and the management of the Canton Country Club Golf Course for being so open, gracious and generous.
In spirit,
Lavanah Smith-Judah
|
|
|
Post by Spirit of the Owl Woman on Mar 28, 2011 13:36:51 GMT -5
A message came today to me from Sherwyn Zephier that I would like to share with you. Lavanah, I have notified my family and we will be there with our Sacred Pipes, eagle feather head dresses and ceremonial attire. I have notified some of my friends on facebook as well, to get the word out to the public. Things will move as they should for this event. We will come with three Chiefs for certain. There may be more from the Yankton. Sherwyn The pic below is of two of Sherwyn's brothers and his grandson (in black) who is yuwipi medicine man on the Yankton rez and they will be attending the ceremony. img291.imageshack.us/i/twoofsherwynzephiersbro.jpg/Reminder from Lavanah to all who may attend: These are SACRED BURIAL GROUNDS to be treated with honor and respect as such. This is a peaceful gathering on sacred grounds.
|
|
|
Post by Spirit of the Owl Woman on Mar 26, 2011 10:11:53 GMT -5
HIAWATHA INDIAN INSANE ASYLUM SACRED BURIAL GROUNDS HEALING AND PRAYER CEREMONY The annual ceremony will be on May 15, 2011 beginning at 12 noon in Canton at the Canton Golf Course between the 4th and 5th holes, located 18 miles southeast of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Harold Iron Shield, a member of Native American Reburial Restoration Committee began this annual event and kept it alive until his death in 2008. It is now being revived to honor and give our prayers of peace and healing to those buried there. Everyone is welcome to attend. =================================== In 1902, the U.S. Government opened the Hiawatha Insane Asylum for American Indians. The purpose was to care for those members of tribes who were allegedly insane. The asylum was operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The Indians who made up the population of the asylum were Indians seen by the Government as "trouble makers"--spiritual leaders, medicine men, vision quest seekers, those who resisted reservation boundaries and boarding school students who did not conform to school policies. Today the 121 bodies of the Hiawatha patients who died in the so called hospital and could not be returned to their families lie in state in what is now the Hiawatha Country Club golf course. These are sacred burial grounds.Just off the fourth fairway one will find a split rail fence surrounding the small cemetery, a poorly made monument sits in its middle bearing the names of those interred there. A small sign in red is posted at each entrance stating that golfers may not hit balls from inside the confines of the cemetery. They are warnings that go unheeded a good part of the time. For more information go to: www.hiawathadiary.com-A ceremony calling out the names of those known buried there with a prayer ribbon for each name will be tied to the rail fence in their honor with a final prayer for peace and healing will be offered. -Bring cedar, sweet grass, and sage for smudging, a special token rock to lie at the plaque of names and tobacco for offering. -Bring traditional foods for offerings to “the pitiful ones.” -Bring a lunch to sit on the grass off the golf course and socialize with those who have attended—this is a coming together—a gathering. Bring a little extra to share as that is what we are all about. Looking for a pipe carrier to lead the ceremony And looking for singers and drummers who can sing sacred songs (contact: Lavanah.judah@gmail.com) Honor Harold Iron Shield's work, blessed be his memory; Please help get the word out. Send to your tribal and community leaders, friends and relatives, even if you know they would be unable to come. It is time to acknowledge the Hiawatha Indian Insane Asylum for what took place there and the only way to do that is to educate and tell everyone we know.For a copy of flyer (I can't seem to post it) email me at lavanah.judah@gmail.com
|
|
|
Post by Spirit of the Owl Woman on Feb 10, 2011 8:37:08 GMT -5
George Rockboy was born abt 1873 of the Yankton Sioux Tribe and died 11 Nov 1932. Rockboy's mother's name was Takukoyakewin and she was born abt 1835.
I am looking for George's wife's name. I do have a name of Rosa with no dob or any idea where I got this name, perhaps on ancestry. She is not listed on the Yankton Sioux ICS, which means she is either white or of another tribe of Sioux. George is the father of:
Lizzie, b. 1894 Eunice, b. 1895 Winnie, b. 1896 Lucy, b. 1898 Bessie, b. 1900 Frances, b. 1902 Joseph, b. 1904 Webster, b. 1905 Early, b. 1908 Clarence Morris, b. 1914
I would appreciate any info on the mother of George Rockboy's children.
Thanks.
Lavanah
|
|
|
Post by Spirit of the Owl Woman on Jan 27, 2011 9:18:46 GMT -5
For sometime now, I have been wondering what the column on the ICS "WARD" means. It is answered "yes" or "no." It is next to the Resident/Elsewhere Column and next to Allotment Column. At first, I thought it had something to do with whether or not they were residents of the rez but that is not the case either since addresses listed off rez will have "yes" in that column. Does it perhaps have something to do with being "awarded" an allotment or annuity? But then it will say "Yes" and there is no annuity or allotment number present. Can anyone tell me what the deal is with the "Ward" column? Thanks. Lavanah
|
|
|
Post by Spirit of the Owl Woman on Jan 18, 2011 22:05:58 GMT -5
RayHenry, I visited your site and it is very interesting. What program did you use to create your website may I ask or did you have a webmaster do it for you?
Louise(a) Bruguier is mis-spelled on your site. She married Theodore Arconge. She is also the great-granddaughter of Chief War Eagle, a Santee adopted by the Yanktons. Her father was Charles "White Bear" Bruguier (1842-1875), Metis son of Theophile Bruguier (first white settler in Sioux City, Iowa) and Julia "Dawn-Anpao" Bruguier, my 4 X great grandparents. Her mother was Maggie "Tatekeka" Hope (abt 1850-?).
If you have Ancestry.com, you may have come across Cheryl Randall's "Maxwell" tree who also has the name mis-spelled exactly as you have it. Her research on the Dickson, Arconge, and Aungie's is the best on Ancestry. Unfortunately, she has not been researching much lately due to health problems and deaths of immediate family. I miss her input dearly and hope if you used her site for info you give her credit for her work.
Thank you for making Metis information available for others, it is truly appreciated.
I would like to say something that has been on my mind for sometime, which is not pointed directly to you, but to ALL family researchers, professional and layperson alike.
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research. "
It has come to my attention as of late, that work I have spent countless hours researching and have posted to share with my cousins on this site, has been copied and pasted to other press boards with the person doing the copying and pasting taking credit for my labor of love and willingness to share. When others give accolades of WOW! and appreciation for this persons research abilities this person says nothing as to where they got the info but let others believe it is hers. And, the reason I know, it is my work--it is word for word my spelling and my words that I have posted on THIS Oyate site.
I love sharing. It is in my Sioux DNA to do so. But, my ethical teachings tell me it is wrong to take another's work and pass it off and mine. Therefore, I do the best I can to always reference my findings on this site and give credit to my cousins or academic researchers who work so hard in performing the same goal--finding our relatives and delivering the truth as we know it to be.
That is why references are so important, so that we do not pass off misinformation that is repeated over and over until it becomes fact (which is a big issue with Indian research). We all must become diligent and research the researchers information. "Believe none of what you see and half of what you read."
Ethics are important in our work. We are Sioux. And, our morales and ethics are high. Learn to honor our relatives of today and we will honor them of the past and those of tomorrow.
LJ
|
|
|
Post by Spirit of the Owl Woman on Jan 15, 2011 11:06:19 GMT -5
Thanks Hermin. I think I should give a little more info on these Feathers:
Isaac "Tasunkewanjina" Feather b. 1848; married Ellen "Tunkanmaniwin", b. 1853; they had Louis "Louie", b. 1867;
John "Sunkdiska" Feather, b. 1852 (according to 1900 US Fed Ind Pop Census, mother was Wahpekute, father was Yankton); married Nancy LaPointe (parents unknown--do you have info on her? 1900 US Fed Ind Pop Census--Father b. in France; Mother-Yankton Sioux---Pierre LaPointe maybe brother) b. 1850. They had several children.
Thank you for any add'l info on these Feathers.
Lavanah
|
|
|
Post by Spirit of the Owl Woman on Jan 10, 2011 18:48:59 GMT -5
Does anyone know if Isaac "Tasunkewanjina" Feather b. abt 1848 is related to John "Sunkediska" Feather b. abt 1852?
Thanks.
Lavanah
|
|
|
Post by Spirit of the Owl Woman on Jan 7, 2011 2:14:08 GMT -5
Hello Vicky,
Since The Tepee and the Church post has been deleted and you own the copy right on it, how much are you charging Oyate members for a copy of the book? Are you selling copies?
I am very interested in this book as it is a great source of information.
Thanks for your response, I am sure other researches would be interested as well.
Lavanah
|
|
|
Post by Spirit of the Owl Woman on Jan 7, 2011 2:06:53 GMT -5
I have DuMarce/DeMarce's on my tree. I have found that DuMarce for Ft Totten/ Devils Lake Sioux eventually became DeMarce. So might try a different spelling. Hope this tip was helpful.
|
|
|
Post by Spirit of the Owl Woman on Jan 6, 2011 18:21:32 GMT -5
I did not find anything that looked remotely like it in the archives. Thanks Hermin
|
|
|
Post by Spirit of the Owl Woman on Jan 6, 2011 3:16:41 GMT -5
It has been closed since 1972 but I talked with the tribal office today and I was told that yes, indeed, it is open. You need to request an application for review.
Yankton Tribal Office 605-384-3641 Helen Zephier, Enrollment Office
|
|
|
Post by Spirit of the Owl Woman on Jan 6, 2011 3:10:03 GMT -5
Why when I try to access the pages Vicky has posted it says that it has been deleted or moved?
thanks.
|
|
|
Post by Spirit of the Owl Woman on Jan 6, 2011 0:53:35 GMT -5
Taken to the Red Pipestone Quarries by Joseph LaFramboise, Catlin painted what he saw in 1836-38. img402.imageshack.us/i/pipestonequarrycoteaude.jpg/Catlinite Sacred Stone to All Sioux People img152.imageshack.us/i/catlinitesacredstonetoa.jpg/Ritual pipes were and are stored in sacred bundles and are part of many of the creation stories that describe and explain the origins of many tribes. Pipes are integral parts of ceremony - from making peace to declaring war, guaranteeing the hunt, promoting good trade or practicing medicine. img130.imageshack.us/i/sacredcanduhupaandpipeo.jpg/The Yanktons fought the U.S. Government for 3 decades for their exclusive right to the Red Pipestone Reserve. The following is a Senate report which includes sworn affidavits from Elisha Dillon, grandson of Smutty Bear (if anyone knows who his parents are--please share), Peter LeGrand, William "Blue Sky or Blue Cloud" Bean, and David Hope.Testimony given by George Chase before the Senate and last but not least, a document entitled RED PIPESTONE QUARRY IN MINNESOTA by the Director of the Red Pipestone Committee, J. W. Powell.It all begins when the Sissetons ceded part of the Pipestone Quarry, seven years prior to the 1858 treaty, to the Government, which was not theirs to do so. Chief Little Crow went to Washington and testified that the land belonged to the Yanktons. It details what the 1858 treaty meant and how it was understood by the Yanktons. It moves through the 1891-2 cession of surplus land by the Yanktons up to 1900-03 when this fight began. This report was printed in 1904 and I bought the original report off of Amazon from an antique book seller as my Great-Grandfather, Alfred C Smith was a witness to all of the sworn affidavits and fought the good fight for 30 yrs. The original pages measure 5 1/2" X 9 3/4." I enlarged them when I scanned the pages and hope that you are able to read them. When I printed two of the first pages out they were definitely enlarged and took up 8 1/2 X 11 paper. This is an easy to understand and an excellent read. But, it will break your heart as you read and begin to understand what really happened and how the government broke their agreement with the Yanktons. The final outcome for the Yanktons in 1928 was a difficult one but the only real choice they had. They did not get what they wanted or deserve but agreed to let the government make the reserve a national monument/park allowing only Indians the right to quarry. It was this or allow whites to occupy the land. They chose the former. Red Pipestone National Monument as it is today. img412.imageshack.us/i/redpipestonenatlmonumenx.jpg/Map of the Red Pipestone National Monument--bottom of page is boundary of Pipestone City and running through it to the right is the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific Rail Roads. img692.imageshack.us/i/pipestonenatlmonumentma.jpg/Those who enjoy Sioux history will savor this read.Pg 1 img94.imageshack.us/i/agreementwiththeyankton.jpg/Pg 2 img11.imageshack.us/i/agreementwiththeyankton.jpg/Pg 3 img824.imageshack.us/i/agreementwiththeyankton.jpg/Pg 4 img510.imageshack.us/i/agreementwiththeyankton.jpg/Pg 5 img821.imageshack.us/i/agreementwiththeyankton.jpg/Pg 6 img156.imageshack.us/i/agreementwiththeyankton.jpg/Pg 7 img715.imageshack.us/i/agreementwiththeyankton.jpg/Pg 8 img831.imageshack.us/i/agreementwiththeyankton.jpg/Pg 9 img403.imageshack.us/i/agreementwiththeyankton.jpg/Pg 10 img37.imageshack.us/i/agreementwiththeyankton.jpg/Pg 11 img524.imageshack.us/i/agreementwiththeyankton.jpg/Pg 12 img833.imageshack.us/i/agreementwiththeyankton.jpg/Pg 13 img263.imageshack.us/i/agreementwiththeyankton.jpg/Pg 14 img263.imageshack.us/i/agreementwiththeyanktonw.jpg/Pg 15 img705.imageshack.us/i/agreementwiththeyankton.jpg/Pg 16 img39.imageshack.us/i/agreementwiththeyankton.jpg/Pg 17 img141.imageshack.us/i/agreementwiththeyankton.jpg/Pg 18 img407.imageshack.us/i/agreementwiththeyankton.jpg/Pg 19 img291.imageshack.us/i/agreementwiththeyankton.jpg/
|
|
|
Post by Spirit of the Owl Woman on Jan 3, 2011 21:38:32 GMT -5
There is an old saying, "Walk a mile in my mocassions." In order to understand why things happened the way they did one needs to know what was actually going at that time in history and what led up to the 1858 Treaty. How the Yanktons were dupped out of the Pipestone Quarry and how the Treaty stated that the Black Hills belonged to them.
Struck by the Ree was between a rock and a hard place. He and the other band chiefs were taken to Washington, D.C. as really to manipulate them into signing the treaty by showing the power and might of the white civilization. Our tribe was suffering disease, hunger, and the lack of game to hunt.
"In considering the motives of Struck by the Ree and his supporters, one must analyze the options available in the 1850s. He could have chosen resistance, armed or otherwise, against American expansionism; but this would have been doomed to failure. Struck by the Ree knew the power of the U.S. military, and he knew the military would protect American squatters. Militarily the Yanktons were in an impossible position. Their population was small, disease was common, and food was scarce. Out of 1,972 Yanktons in 1859, there were 440 adult men. They could not must an effective fighting force. The feared General Harney, stationed at Fort Randall with 1,200 troops, made armed resistance an untenable option. Another possible option was voluntary migration west. This would have been possible but very difficult. It would have required a location, funding and consensus from the Yanktons. Voluntary migration, even if successful, would only have postponed and eventual collision with American expansion. The third option, accommodation with the United States, must have seemed like the only viable choice to Chief Struck by the Ree. Accommodation meant a guaranteed permanent homeland for the Yanktons and fifty years of annuity payments. This was much better than fruitless resistance where all could be lost. From his point of view, he had only one option." Struck by the Ree's legacy was the survival of the Yanktons as a nation.
|
|