NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
Many things influenced Sitting Bulls decision to cross the border into Canada. After Custer's defeat at Little Bighorn, Sitting Bull had to live life in fear. He fought on the defensive for years. Sitting Bull and his followers fled from the onslaught of American howitzers. He then was able to find sanctuary in the White Grandmothers Country, north of the international boundary. Most of the band drifted back in the next few years; Sitting Bull himself was to return in 1881 to end his exile (Andrist 298) ).
They faced unknown obstacles, and challenges, all for a chance to live the way they wanted to. When times were bad they looked to the Canadians for assistance. When they could not help Sitting Bull struggle ended and asylum. Canada was no longer an option for Sitting Bulls starving people.
For Sitting Bull and his people the winter of 1876 - 77 was a winter of despair. Soldiers occupied the hunting grounds and kept the war going even when the snow fell and the temperature plunged (Utley 174). Sitting Bulls options for the survival his people were being held in the hands of the soldiers surrounding his winter encampment. Who could at any time burst into their village, shoot down the people, and destroy their homes and food supplies (Utley 174). Sitting Bull disliked the alternative of an unconditional surrender, which was out of the question. This surrender would have cost Sitting Bull and his people their guns, and horses.
This was unreasonable for people who relied on these valuable tools in almost every aspect in their lives. In April of 1877 the Miniconjoous, Sans Arcs, Hunkpaps, and others of equal prominence convened a council at Beaver Creek. Spotted Eagle and Sitting Bull would make speeches advocating continuing the war against the white man. They would eventually realize them necessity to act in the best interest of the people. Sitting Bull stood firm in his way of life, as a hunter.
Around this time Crazy Horse made his decision to surrender. On May 6, Crazy horse surrendered at the Red Cloud agency in Robinson Nebraska. The group which consisted of 889 people, surrendered " 12, 00 ponies and 117 arms" (Utley 182). Sitting Bull faced new uncertainty in Canada. He had traveled to this country before "following Buffalo or seeking Slots to trade with" (Utley 184).
He also knew from experience the contrast between the Grandmother (Canada) and the Great Father of the United States. He would also begin to somewhat trust the Canadians Sitting bull would soon develop a relationship with a 34 -year-old lawman by the name of James M. Walsh. Walsh was a 34 -year-old Major for the Northwest Mounted police. Walsh would go on to play an influential role in the issues involving Sitting Bulls stay in Canada. Walsh was very aware of the actions involving the Sioux.
Even before the Battle of Little Bighorn, Walsh and other Mounties had realized that the U. S. military operations against the Sioux and Cheyenne were to drive hostile Indians north across the border (Anderson 1). On May 7, 1877 Walsh would follow a trail that led up from the Montana, about 50 miles to the south his scouts had said that A good-sized band had passed over this ground (Anderson 1). Walsh and his scouts would have no small task preserving law and order in the border country (Anderson 1). The Canadians were already having problems with their own plains Indians and did not want to add to the numbers for which they were responsible (Adams 337).
These problems arrived at the end of company rule in 1869. American whiskey traders had "spread demoralization and bloodshed among tribes" (Utley 184). This put the Canada in a situation it would have to deal with. Sitting bull had reached a Slot trading camp on the Big Bend of Milk River by April 16 th. Apparently heading for international boundaries.
The movement had a total of around one thousand people, occupying 135 lodges. Some of these lodges were new, "but most were old, raged, and patched, all that could be salvaged agreed the Missouri River floodwaters swept through their village in March" (Utley 183). The Lodge of Sitting Bull and his extensive family was the shabbiest of any of the lodges. This showed the true generosity and devotion he had towards his people. In early May of 1877, when Sitting Bull crossed the international boundary into "The White Mothers Country", as it would come to be known (Anderson 2). His movements were under the watchful eye of Walsh's scouts who had been anticipating the arrival of the Humkapapa leader.
Sixty miles above the boundary, Sitting Bull camped near Pinto Horse Butte, where they were first introduced to the North West Mounted Police. Major Walsh and his six men "rounded the hill to find a large camp spread before them. They sat in their saddles while a group of Indians rode toward them" (Anderson 2). The strangers then rode to the very edge of the village, dismounted and set up their own camp. Spotted Eagle informed Walsh and his men that they were the first white men to approach Sitting Bulls camp so close. Walsh and his men met with Sitting Bull in a council lodge that afternoon.
Sitting Bull spoke of the "misdeeds inflicted on him by the Americans" (Utley 185). Walsh informed him "the Sioux were in the land of the Great White Mother her laws protected every person whatever color. They were but would also punish any person who violated them" (Utley 185). Walsh also informed them that they had sanctuary in this land. Walsh also made it clear that no Indian would return to the United States to steal or kill or strike across the border against American soldiers. No Indian would steal horses they must this "forfeited the privilege of asylum in Canada" (Utley 185).
Sitting Bull agreed to Walsh's terms, stating he had buried his weapons before crossing into the White Mothers Land (Anderson 2). Sitting Bull asked Walsh for ammunition for his people for buffalo hunting, because they had used all of their bullets fighting against Americans. Walsh agreed to allow them enough bullets to hunt as long as they didnt use them to fight warfare across the border. The next morning on May 8, Sitting Bull would witness firsthand the enforcement of the laws of the Great White Mother. "White Dog and two their Assinboines from the Missouri River rode into the village trailing five horses (Utley 185). Walsh's scouts recognized three of the horses as property of a Roman Catholic priest who had been in Cypress Hills. An undeterred Walsh was quick on apprehending White Dog who was very defiant, attempted to seek aid from Sioux warriors watching the escalating drama who were dumbfounded by the Mounties courage (Anderson 3).
He offered an explanation about finding the horses grazing on the prairie (Utley 185). He also stated that he was unaware that it was wrong to do so. In the end Walsh gave the Assinboine the benefit of the doubt. White Dog surrendered the horses to Walsh who intern gave him a lecture on obeying law in the White Mothers country.
Walsh had shown courage in front of the warriors, which was admirable to them. The red coats laid down the rules unambiguously and then enforced them fearlessly, even at the risk of their own lives (Utley 186). Walsh showed Sitting Bull and his chiefs a lesson that they would soon not forget. On May 26, 1877 three Americans arrived in the camp near Pinto Horse Butte.
The Sioux would have probably killed the American scouts, but they decided to seek council at Fort Walsh. These men were on a mission to track down sitting bull in order to arrange peace. One was the Catholic bishop of Dakota. On the afternoon on June 2, two councils took place.
The Bishop spoke on behalf of the U. S. government, but not officially. He also assured that all the promises made would be carried out. Sitting Bull and other prominent tribal members spoke of there intent to stay in Canada. Sitting Bull said, what would I return for?
To have my horses and arms taken away? What have the Americans to give me? Once I was rich; but the Americans stole it all in the Black Hills? (Adams 337). Sitting Bull ending his speech by saying The Great White Mother takes care of everyone in her land in every part o...
Free research essays on topics related to: missouri river, great white, sitting bull, mounted police, crazy horse
Research essay sample on Sitting Bull Exile To Canada
