Two nations, the Assiniboine and Lakota Sioux, comprise our reservation. The Sioux, in particular, are infamous as warriors and for resisting reservation life. Their history includes:
Red Cloud – An Ogalala Lakota war chief who was the only Indian chief in the western plains to repeatedly defeat the U.S. Cavalry on American soil. He fought to protect the land granted to the Sioux under the 1868 Laramie Treaty. He was sued for peace by the U.S. Congress three times. Red Cloud died in 1909 at Pine Ridge, North Dakota.
Crazy Horse – An Ogalala Lakota known for his bravery in battle and caring for children and elders. Crazy Horse died from a bayonet wound while under arrest in 1877 at Camp Robertson, Nebraska.
Spotted Elk – A Miniconjou Sioux (Mini-con-jew) fluent in English and several Siouxan dialects. He was renowned for his ability to negotiate treaties and settle intertribal disputes. Spotted Elk was killed and buried in the massacre of Wounded Knee, South Dakota, in December, 1890.
Sitting Bull – A Hunkpapa Lakota who led a resistance against the continually changing U.S. treaty policies. Before the battle of the Little Bighorn, he had a vision in which he saw cavalry soldiers “falling upside down into the Lakota camp,” which others believed was an omen of victory. After the battle, Sitting Bull fled to Canada, where he and his followers lived for four years. He was forced to return to the U.S. and settled at the Standing Rock reservation, where he was killed in 1890 by Indian police who feared he would join the Ghost Dance movement and foment another Indian uprising. He was buried in Fort Yates, South Dakota.
Gall – A Hunkpapa Lakota leader in the battle of the Little Bighorn with Sitting Bull. Gall followed Sitting Bull to Canada rather than live on a reservation. When forced to return to the U.S., he worked for peace, advocating assimilation and serving as tribal judge for his people. He died on the Standing Rock reservation in 1894.
Living with the Siouxan-speaking people has been very educational. After studying their history, I have come to respect several of their values and traditions. One surprising fact I learned was that nearly all North American Tribal nations, including the Sioux, are very spiritual and monotheistic.
Wakan Tanka is the Lakota word for the Creator of all things. Wakan Tanka is also understood as meaning “the Great Mystery,” Much like the Athenians in Acts 17 who worshiped the idol to the “UNKNOWN GOD.” Many Natives admit they do not know much about the Great Spirit.
In reference to this, in March 2025, Franklin Graham (son of Billy Graham) met with a group of Native evangelicals. Here is a little of what he said:
“So many (Native Americans) are so spiritual, but they don’t know the Name that frees them from their desperation, their despair, their anger, their hatred, and their loneliness. They’re thirsty and they’re hungry for truth, yet what they eat does not satisfy, because they’ve yet to know the bread of life—God Himself, the (Creator) One that made them.”
As Christians, we have been given the privileged mandate to share what we call the three angels’ message of Revelation 14, a message in the context of an imminent judgment.
Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those dwelling on the earth, even to every nation and kindred and tongue and people…
In this message is a reference to the everlasting gospel. That is the message of Jesus and His sacrifice, making a way for us to the Father.
Franklin Graham continued:
“I think the giant is starting to awaken. It’s going to be in my lifetime. I think it’s here, where we can preach the Gospel to our friends on the reservations, on the reserves in Canada, and we can tell them what they’re looking for, what they long for is found in Jesus. Nothing else.
“I think God will use the great awakening that’s going to take place . . . [to] change this country forever. That’s my prayer . . . . My friends, I’m looking forward to the giant waking up!” March 20, 2025)
I invite you to sow the word, the seed, of Jesus’ life. Get involved. Reach out to your Native friends and love them. Help them learn about the Great Mystery, and they will see Jesus in you.
