About Famous Warriors of American Indians
Although much of society may not consider the famous warriors and Native American leaders as heroes, they were most certainly looked up to by their people. The American Indians are a proud people with most nations being known throughout their history as a warrior race.
Among the most famous warriors of Native America is Sitting Bull, known to the Lakota as Tatanka Yotanka. Sitting Bull was a leader in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, where Custer was defeated by bands of the Lakota and Cheyenne. He came to symbolize what a wise and brave leader is.
Not all of the famous warriors were from the plains tribes; there was also a leader known as Black Hawk who grew up in an area that is now the state of Illinois. This man spent much of his life fighting for the lands and independence of his people. Although the sheer number of white Americans and their advanced technologies would eventually defeat Black Hawk, he is an example of someone who did not go down quietly because he believed in what he was fighting for.
Perhaps one of the most famous warriors was a man known as Geronimo. He was born in western New Mexico in 1829 and grew to be one of the most feared of all Indian leaders. The name Geronimo originally came from Mexican soldiers, who truly believed that he had so much success as a warrior because he was gifted with supernatural powers. One reason that Geronimo gained such notoriety is that he was the leader of the last band of Indians to continue to fight against the United States. His band of people continued to fight for their home against all odds, and this would give Geronimo a name in history, not only among Indian people, but also in the American history books.
It is almost impossible to think of famous warriors without the name Crazy Horse coming to mind. This Indian war leader was born in about 1845, but would only live until he was 33 years old. He was a fierce and proud Lakota leader who would leave behind a legacy that would endure for generations.
The legend of Crazy Horse not only paints a picture of a fierce and proud warrior, but also of a handsome man who was well loved by the ladies. Crazy Horse is much remembered for his role in the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He also is known for his refusal to sign away his peoples right to the Black Hills in South Dakota, when many of the other Lakota leaders did. Due to this brave move by Crazy Horse, the Lakota still lay claim to this sacred area to this day.
Dull Knife of the Cheyenne was another very important leader and among the most famous warriors of the American Indian. He was a thoughtful, brave and independent man who would become known to the United States as one of the most feared leaders of the Indian Wars. For many years Dull Knife continued to fight against the encroachment of white America and the theft of his homeland. This great leader died fighting for his people and became a symbol of what Indian people endured and what they fought against for generations.
All nations have their famous warriors, but America can never forget the warriors that fought against the theft of their home and culture. Because of these brave men, today’s Native Americans still retain rights for much of their homeland.