Sitting Bull Character Analysis in Black Elk Speaks

Sitting Bull is a Hunkpapa chief and holy man. Sitting Bull fought in the Battle of Little Bighorn, after which Sitting Bull and Gall, another Hunkpapa chief, flee to Canada to avoid living on government agencies. U.S. soldiers kill Sitting Bull for resisting arrest Shortly before the Wounded Knee Massacre.

Sitting Bull Character Timeline in Black Elk Speaks

The timeline below shows where the character Sitting Bull appears in Black Elk Speaks. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

The Loss of Culture and Community Theme Icon

...the Moon of Making Fat (June), the gathered tribes perform a sun dance led by Sitting Bull , an important medicine man. (full context)

...They move camp, burning the grass behind them so that the soldiers’ horses will starve. Sitting Bull , Gall, and others leave for Grandmother’s Land, and many others flee elsewhere, but Crazy... (full context)

...all the time, and Black Elk’s mother and Black Elk’s father wish they’d gone with Sitting Bull and Gall to Grandmother’s Land. (full context)

...decide to run away from the group and travel to Grandmother’s Land where their relatives, Sitting Bull , and Gall are, and where they will be safe from the Wasichus. Black Elk... (full context)

The Transformative Power of Ceremony Theme Icon

...people. Black Elk doesn’t think they were ever repaid for their stolen horses. Gall and Sitting Bull remain in the Grandmother’s Land. Black Elk decides that it’s time to return to his... (full context)

...afraid of the Wanekia. Black Elk later learns that the Brules, Big Foot’s people, and Sitting Bull ’s people are also dancing. People everywhere are in despair and starving, and the movement... (full context)

...but the Ogalalas obey the chiefs. On their way to Pine Ridge, they learn that Sitting Bull was murdered by policemen for resisting arrest. It’s now the end of December in 1890.... (full context)