Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee Characters

Tenth president of the United States and supporter of the infamous Indian Removal Act, which relocated Native Americans to the western United States.

Apache Chief (father-in-law of Cochise) who waged war against U.S. settlers in the Southwest and was murdered by American soldiers while waving a truce flag.

U.S. general who fought Manuelito in the 1860s and later waged war against the Modoc tribe, using deception and other “dirty tricks.” Canby was later slain by Kintpuash, the young chief of the Modoc tribe.

Famous (and infamous) American explorer who, under orders from General James Carleton, was responsible for massacring Navahos and burning their fields in order to clear Navaho lands for white settlers. Carson followed Carleton’s cruel orders, despite the fact that he was married to a Native woman.

Navaho reservation superintendent who advocated for better reservation conditions. His advocacy, however, seemed centered on the fact that with better soil, the Navahos could grow their own food thereby saving the U.S. government money.

Government commissioner in charge of the Santee tribe who refused to allocate the tribe badly needed resources.

Teenaged son of Little Crow who was imprisoned by U.S. troops and later became a Christian deacon.

Follower of Little Crow who (with Shakopee) led the exiled Santees after Little Crow’s death. Medicine Bottle was captured by U.S. forces, unfairly tried, and sentenced to death.

Follower of Little Crow who (with Medicine Bottle) led the exiled Santees after Little Crow’s death. Shakopee was captured by U.S. forces, unfairly tried, and sentenced to death.

Cheyenne chief who was killed in cold blood by American troops in 1864, sparking a wave of conflict between the Cheyennes and the U.S. military.

Governor of Colorado during the early 1860s, notorious for having taken a “hard line” against the Cheyenne, Sioux, and Arapahos and for dismissing any government officials who favored compromise with the Native Americans.

U.S. military officer who became a friend and ally of the Southern Cheyennes, negotiating with and on behalf of Black Kettle. Though his friendliness with the Native Americans led Governor John Evans to fire him, Wynkoop later became a U.S. tribal agent on behalf of the Cheyenne reservation.

Chief of the Northern Arapaho tribe, who led his people west after the Sand Creek Massacre.

Wife of William Bent and mother to Charlie and George Bent.

U.S. colonel who attempted to negotiate with Red Cloud.

U.S. government commissioner who tried to contact Red Cloud.

Oglala chief who, along with Pawnee Killer, negotiated unsuccessfully with General George Armstrong Custer over the expansion of the railway system.

Oglala chief who, along with Little Wound, negotiated unsuccessfully with General George Armstrong Custer over the expansion of the railway system.

U.S. government commissioner who successfully negotiated with Red Cloud for land rights.

American general who waged war against Roman Nose and later met with him to negotiate. Hancock narrowly avoided being murdered by Roman Nose during these negotiations.

U.S. general who fought Roman Nose’s Cheyenne forces in the late 1860s, and uttered the infamous words, “The only good Indians I ever saw were dead.” Sheridan was also instrumental in waging war against the Cheyenne and Comanche tribes in the late 1860s.

Southern Cheyenne leader who led raids on American supply trains, largely in retaliation for the U.S. military’s crimes against Native Americans.

Apache leader who lobbied the U.S. government for food for his people and was pressured into making a deal whereby his men would work on a government mescal farm.

U.S. government commissioner who dealt with the Apache tribe and persuaded Eskiminzin to preserve peace.

Kiowa chief who led a large faction against the U.S. government, arguing that the Kiowas should celebrate their own culture instead of embracing the white man’s civilization.

Nez Percé chief who refused to sign a treaty that surrendered the tribe’s lands to the U.S.

Cheyenne chief who led his starving people off their reservation in search of food, and was later arrested for doing so in defiance of the U.S. government.

Ponca chief at a time when the Poncas were being relocated to a dry, barren reservation in Kansas.

Ute leader who negotiated with the U.S. government on behalf of his people, but arguably sold out by accepting lavish gifts in return for signing over the Utes’ land rights. In the 19th century, the U.S. used similar bribery tactics on any number of Native American chiefs.

Chief of the Chiricahua tribe in the 1870s, a time when the tribe was splitting into many antagonistic factions.

Government agent for the Chiricahua tribe.

General in charge of the Southwestern United States in the 1870s and 1880s, often remembered for capturing and imprisoning Geronimo after years of war.

Sioux leader who succeeded Sitting Bull and was the chief of the Sioux at the time of the Wounded Knee Massacre, during which Big Foot and hundreds of other Native Americans were murdered.

Kiowa chief who, in contrast with Lone Wolf, believed that his people should adopt a moderate policy when interacting with the United States. However, Kicking Bird later saw the error of his ways and led attacks against the U.S. military.

Sadistic U.S. general who presided over a fort built on Cheyenne lands, and was later tasked with massacring entire villages of Arapahos.

Colonel and fur trader who fought against the Santee tribe and later attempted to negotiate with Little Crow.

Santee warrior who betrayed his leader, Little Crow, thinking that Colonel Henry H. Sibley would reward him for bringing down the Santee tribe from within (though, as it turned out, Sibley just arrested Wabasha along with all the other Santees).

Governor of the Dakota territory, who played a pivotal role in pressuring Sioux chiefs into signing unfair treaties that allowed white settlers to claim Sioux lands.

American general who fought Red Cloud’s Sioux forces and tried in vain to negotiate with Red Cloud.

American commander who negotiated with Eskiminzin and offered the Apaches menial jobs harvesting mescal.

Arapaho chief who led his tribe to a government-organized reservation, and is said to have told General Philip Sheridan that he was a “good Indian,” to which Sheridan infamously replied, “The only good Indians I ever saw were dead.”

Chief of the Pemaquid tribe in the early 17th century, said to have “given away” New England to European settlers (though, in reality, he thought he was humoring the settlers, and never agreed to vacate the land).