Prairie Man by Norman E. Matteoni

Author:Norman E. Matteoni
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781442244764
Publisher: TwoDot

When an elderly Lakota known as Red Fish rose to speak, an Indian Police sergeant came up and told him that he “looked as if he had been drinking whiskey, and had better sit down.”28 Intimidated, the man did not give testimony. The charge was false, but many agency Indians had grown dependent on alcohol secured from nearby storekeepers and whiskey traders to numb reservation life. Outwardly silent and submissive, these men were suppressing resentment against the controlled conditions of their new life. Sitting Bull positioned himself to the rear of the audience watching how the proceedings unfolded. His quiet observation would not last. The real problems affecting the agency were not being addressed.

A murmuring in the meeting hall among the Indians standing near Sitting Bull reached the front table. The chairman commented to the assembled: “Ask Sitting Bull if he has anything to say to the Committee.”29

The chief came forward. He stood for a moment to be certain that he had the attention of the panel behind the table and replied: “Of course I will speak if you desire me to do so. I suppose it is only such men as you desire to speak who must say anything.”30 He garnered the spotlight by not seeking it. Because others stepped forward with criticism, he had stood down. The longer-residing reservation leaders had not asked him to speak. But to those around him he gave a running commentary; this undertone was just noisy enough to invite attention.

Dawes quickly underscored that this was an investigating committee as Sitting Bull came forward: “We supposed the Indians would select men to speak for them. But any man who desires to speak, or any man the Indians here desire shall talk for them, we will be glad to hear if he has anything to say.” (The committee was confident it could handle Sitting Bull.)

Sitting Bull was not any man: “Do you know who I am, that you speak as you do?”

“I know you are Sitting Bull, and if you have anything to say, we will be glad to hear you.”

“Do you recognize me; do you know who I am?”

“I know that you are Sitting Bull.”

Sitting Bull pressed harder: “You say you know I am Sitting Bull, but do you know what position I hold?” He was reclaiming his status as chief in reservation life; if McLaughlin would not acknowledge this, he would proclaim it to the committee.31

“I do not know any difference between you and the other Indians at this Agency.”

“I am here by the will of the Great Spirit, and by his will I am chief. My heart is red and sweet, and I know it is sweet, because whatever passes over me puts out its tongue to me; and yet you men have come here to talk with us, and you say you do not know who I am. I want to tell you that if the Great Spirit has chosen anyone to be the chief of this country, it is myself.”

“In

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