Red Cloud

Red Cloud was a war leader and chief of the Oglala Lakota (Souix) from 1868 until his death in 1909 at the age of 87. He led a successful campaign against the U.S. Army over control of the Powder River country in Wyoming and Montana. He was often mistakenly called the leader of the entire tribe, but there were at least seven major Lakota divisions, each going its own way. Red Cloud’s father was Brule Lakota, and his mother was Oglala. Lakota were traditionally matrilineal, so children belonged to the mother’s tribe. Red Cloud was raised by his mother’s brother, Old Chief Smoke. Native Americans were named for events that occurred during their lives. Below are (left to right and back to front) Yellow Bear, Red Cloud, Big Road, Little Wound, Black Crow, Red Bear, Young Man Afraid of His Horse (!), Good Voice, Ring Thunder, Iron Crow, White Tail, and Young Spotted Tail. Don’t you wish you knew the stories behind those names?