# Sitting Bull

> Hunkpapa Lakota medicine man and holy man (1831–1890)

**Wikidata**: [Q43527](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43527)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sitting_Bull)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sitting-bull

## Summary
Sitting Bull was a Hunkpapa Lakota medicine man, holy man, and traditional leader who lived from 1831 to 1890. He is historically significant for his leadership of the Sioux people during the Great Sioux War of 1876, a conflict involving battles and negotiations between the United States and the Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne. As a spiritual and tribal figure, he remains a central icon of Native American resistance and sovereignty.

## Biography
- **Born**: 1831 (specific date and place not provided in source material)
- **Nationality**: United States (associated with the country where the Great Sioux War took place and where the Sioux ethnic group is located)
- **Education**: Not specified in source material
- **Known for**: Serving as a Hunkpapa Lakota medicine man, holy man, and traditional leader during the Great Sioux War of 1876
- **Employer(s)**: Not applicable (Traditional leader of a tribal society; no corporate or institutional employers listed)
- **Field(s)**: Traditional leadership, spiritual healing, tribal governance

## Contributions
Sitting Bull's primary contributions were in the realm of tribal leadership and spiritual guidance rather than commercial or academic outputs.
- **Leadership during the Great Sioux War of 1876**: He led the Hunkpapa Lakota and allied Northern Cheyenne in battles and negotiations against the United States between 1876 and 1877.
- **Spiritual Stewardship**: As a medicine man and holy man, he provided traditional healing and spiritual direction to the Sioux people.
- **Cultural Preservation**: He served as a traditional leader or chief, maintaining the structure and autonomy of the tribal society during a period of intense conflict with the United States.

## FAQs
**Who was Sitting Bull and what was his primary role?**
Sitting Bull was a Hunkpapa Lakota medicine man and holy man who also served as a traditional leader or chief. He is best known for his role in leading his people during the Great Sioux War of 1876.

**What specific conflict is Sitting Bull associated with?**
He is directly linked to the Great Sioux War of 1876, a series of battles and negotiations that occurred between 1876 and 1877. This conflict involved the United States, the Lakota Sioux, and the Northern Cheyenne.

**What are the alternative names used for Sitting Bull?**
He is known by several aliases, including Tatanka Iyotanka, Chief Sitting Bull, Sitting Buffalo Bull, and Tȟatȟáŋka Íyotake.

**Which ethnic group did Sitting Bull lead?**
He was a leader of the Sioux, a Native American and First Nations ethnic group located in both Canada and the United States.

## Why They Matter
Sitting Bull matters because he represents a pivotal figure in the history of Native American resistance against United States expansion. His leadership during the Great Sioux War of 1876 defined a critical era of conflict and negotiation between the US government and the Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne. Without his role as a medicine man and traditional leader, the spiritual and political cohesion of the Hunkpapa Lakota during this turbulent period would have been significantly different. His legacy endures as a symbol of the Sioux people's struggle for sovereignty and their cultural identity within the United States.

## Notable For
- Serving as a Hunkpapa Lakota medicine man and holy man from 1831 to 1890.
- Leading the Sioux people as a traditional leader or chief.
- Playing a central role in the Great Sioux War of 1876 (1876–1877).
- Holding multiple aliases: Tatanka Iyotanka, Chief Sitting Bull, Sitting Buffalo Bull, and Tȟatȟáŋka Íyotake.
- Being the subject of a 1954 film titled *Sitting Bull* directed by Sidney Salkow.
- Representing the Sioux ethnic group, which spans the United States and Canada.

## Body

### Identity and Roles
Sitting Bull was a human being and a member of the Homo sapiens species. He held the specific titles of Hunkpapa Lakota medicine man and holy man. In addition to his spiritual duties, he functioned as a traditional leader or chief, guiding a tribal society or chiefdom. His life spanned from 1831 to 1890. He is associated with the Sioux, a Native American and First Nations ethnic group.

### Historical Context and Conflict
The primary historical event associated with Sitting Bull is the Great Sioux War of 1876. This conflict consisted of battles and negotiations between the United States and the Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne. The war took place between the years 1876 and 1877. The United States, a country located primarily in North America, was the opposing entity in this conflict. The United States was established with a declaration of independence on July 4, 1776, and its independence was recognized by the Treaty of Paris in 1783. The Sioux ethnic group is located in both the United States and Canada.

### Names and Aliases
Sitting Bull is identified by a variety of names and aliases in historical records. These include Tatanka Iyotanka, Chief Sitting Bull, Sitting Buffalo Bull, and Tȟatȟáŋka Íyotake. These names reflect his status and identity within the Lakota culture.

### Cultural Legacy and Media
His life and actions have been the subject of significant cultural documentation. Notably, a 1954 film titled *Sitting Bull* was produced by Sidney Salkow. This film is one of the many sitelinks associated with his name, indicating a broad presence in historical and media databases. His role as a medicine man and holy man remains a key part of his description in academic and historical sources.

### Geographic and Political Affiliations
Sitting Bull's life and work were centered in the United States, the country where the Great Sioux War occurred. The Sioux people, whom he led, are an ethnic group with presence in both the United States and Canada. His leadership was deeply tied to the political and territorial dynamics of North America during the late 19th century.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Genealogics
3. [Source](https://www.nytimes.com/1890/12/17/archives/the-death-of-sitting-bull-story-of-the-old-medicine-mans-last-fight.html)
4. [Source](https://archive.org/details/americanindianpa00king/page/175/mode/1up)
5. International Standard Name Identifier
6. MusicBrainz
7. Integrated Authority File
8. Open Library
9. SNAC
10. Find a Grave
11. LIBRIS
12. Faceted Application of Subject Terminology
13. Canadian Encyclopedia
14. Sitting Bull (1831-1890), Sioux chief
15. Frick Art Research Library Photoarchive
16. VcBA (identifier)
17. Sapere Encyclopedia
18. Dictionary of Canadian Biography
19. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
20. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
21. BBC Things
22. Golden
23. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands