Tatanka Yotanka, or Sitting Bull (c. 1831-90), was one of the most able,
honest, and idealistic statesmen in Indian history.  An Oglala Sioux and a
warrior by the age of fourteen, Sitting Bull at an early age ceased to
take part in the fighting; instead, he became the medicine man during
battles.  On June 25, 1876, at the famous Battle of the Little Bighorn in
Montana, Sitting Bull's braves, led by Crazzy Horse, totally defeated
George Custer and his troops.  This humiliating defeat shocked the nation
and made the government more determined than ever to subdue the Indians. 
The Indians had won the battle but lost the war.  Sitting Bull led many
Sioux to safety in Canada, but returned to the United States in 1881 with
187 members of his tribe because of famine and disease.  After
surrendering to the U.S. Army, he was imprisoned for two years and then
lead a dismal reservation existence.  He was killed by Indian police
during the Ghost Dance uprising in 1890.