Kicking Bear: Prophet of Hope and Witness to Tragedy in the Ghost Dance Era
In the annals of Native American history, few figures are as profoundly emblematic of spiritual resistance and cultural defiance as Kicking Bear, the historical Ghost Dance leader. His life, intertwined with the desperate hopes and ultimate tragedies of the Lakota people in the late 19th century, offers a poignant window into a pivotal moment of cultural clash and spiritual revival. Born around 1845, a member of the Oglala Lakota, Kicking Bear rose from a respected warrior to a central figure in one of the most significant spiritual movements to sweep the Plains, advocating for a vision of renewed Indigenous sovereignty and a return to traditional ways. His journey from warrior to spiritual guide, and his direct witness to the devastating aftermath of the Ghost Dance, solidify his place as a crucial, if often overlooked, figure in American history.
Kicking Bear’s early life unfolded during a period of immense upheaval for the Lakota and other Plains tribes. The vast buffalo herds, once the cornerstone of their existence, were rapidly dwindling due to systematic slaughter by white hunters. Treaties were routinely broken, and the Lakota people were increasingly confined to reservations, their traditional nomadic lifestyle and spiritual practices suppressed. This era of profound loss and cultural disintegration fostered a deep yearning for spiritual renewal and a return to a pre-contact way of life. Kicking Bear, like many of his contemporaries, was not merely a warrior; he was a man deeply attuned to the spiritual currents of his people, searching for answers and a path forward in a world that seemed to be collapsing around them.
The catalyst for Kicking Bear’s transformation into a spiritual leader came in 1889 with the emergence of the Ghost Dance. This new religious movement originated with Wovoka, a Northern Paiute prophet from Nevada, who preached a message of peace, non-violence, and a spiritual dance that would bring about a new world. Wovoka’s prophecies promised the return of the buffalo, the disappearance of the white settlers, and the resurrection of deceased ancestors, ushering in an era of peace and plenty for Native peoples. The message spread rapidly across the Reservations, offering a powerful antidote to the despair and destitution that plagued many tribes.
Recognizing the profound significance of Wovoka’s message, Kicking Bear, along with another prominent Lakota leader, Short Bull, embarked on a perilous journey to Nevada in the fall of 1889 to meet the prophet in person. This pilgrimage underscored the Lakota’s desperate search for hope. Upon their return, Kicking Bear became one of the most fervent and influential proponents of the Ghost Dance among the Lakota. He meticulously relayed Wovoka’s teachings, emphasizing the non-violent aspects of the dance while also interpreting them through a uniquely Lakota lens, which included the belief in "Ghost Shirts" – ceremonial garments that dancers believed would protect them from bullets. This particular interpretation, while rooted in Lakota spiritual traditions, would later contribute to the tragic misunderstandings that led to Wounded Knee.
As Kicking Bear, the historical Ghost Dance leader, tirelessly spread the word, the movement rapidly gained traction among the Lakota, especially among the younger generation and those most affected by poverty and despair. Thousands gathered to perform the dance, a mesmerizing ritual of communal prayer, trance, and spiritual communion. The sight of so many Lakota dancing, singing, and falling into trances, often for days on end, deeply alarmed white settlers, reservation agents, and military authorities. They viewed the Ghost Dance not as a spiritual revival, but as a prelude to a new Indian uprising, fueled by their own deep-seated fears and racist stereotypes. The very desperation that made the dance so appealing to the Lakota was interpreted as a sign of their dangerous fanaticism.
The growing fervor of the Ghost Dance, combined with the misinterpretation of its intentions, created an explosive atmosphere on the reservations. Federal authorities, pressured by fearful settlers and sensationalist newspaper reports, dispatched thousands of troops to the Lakota reservations. The situation escalated dramatically with the tragic death of Sitting Bull, the revered Hunkpapa Lakota leader, who was killed by Indian agency police in December 1890 during an attempt to arrest him, ostensibly for his support of the Ghost Dance. Sitting Bull’s death sent shockwaves through the Lakota community, intensifying both their fear and their adherence to the Ghost Dance, which now seemed like their only remaining hope.
In the grim aftermath of Wounded Knee, Kicking Bear, the historical Ghost Dance leader, found himself caught in the brutal sweep of military retribution. While the exact details of his presence at the Wounded Knee Creek on December 29, 1890, are debated, it is clear he was either a direct witness to the massacre or arrived shortly thereafter. His brother, Turning Hawk, was present, and many of his relatives and fellow Ghost Dancers were among the hundreds of unarmed Lakota men, women, and children who were massacred by the U.S. 7th Cavalry. The brutality of the event, the cold-blooded killing of the innocent, cemented Wounded Knee as a turning point, marking the end of armed Lakota resistance and symbolizing the complete subjugation of the Plains tribes.
Following the massacre, Kicking Bear was among the prominent Lakota leaders arrested and imprisoned at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. The government viewed him, along with others like Short Bull, as dangerous instigators of the Ghost Dance movement. Their imprisonment was not just punitive; it was also a strategic attempt to decapitate the spiritual leadership of the Lakota and extinguish the flames of resistance. During his time in captivity, Kicking Bear, the historical Ghost Dance leader, remained resolute in his beliefs, even as he faced the profound trauma of his people’s suffering. He was viewed as a curiosity by the public and often subjected to scrutiny, yet he maintained his dignity.
After his release from Fort Sheridan, Kicking Bear returned to the Pine Ridge Reservation. His life post-imprisonment was a testament to his enduring spirit and his commitment to his people. He continued to be a spiritual figure, though the public performance of the Ghost Dance was largely suppressed. He also engaged with the broader American society in various ways, most notably participating in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show. This decision, seemingly contradictory for a former spiritual leader, was often a means for Native Americans to earn a living, maintain visibility, and subtly challenge prevailing stereotypes, all while representing their culture on their own terms. Kicking Bear, the historical Ghost Dance leader, used this platform not to abandon his heritage, but perhaps to educate and demonstrate the resilience of his people.
His life, from a respected warrior to a pivotal Kicking Bear historical Ghost Dance leader, encapsulates the desperate struggle of the Lakota to preserve their identity and way of life in the face of overwhelming odds. He bore witness to the profound spiritual yearning that gave birth to the Ghost Dance, experienced the exhilarating hope it offered, and suffered the agonizing tragedy that extinguished its public practice. His personal accounts and later reflections, though limited, offer invaluable insights into the mindset of those who embraced the dance as a last, sacred stand against cultural annihilation.
The legacy of Kicking Bear, the historical Ghost Dance leader, is complex and multifaceted. He was not just a messenger; he was an interpreter, shaping Wovoka’s teachings to resonate with Lakota prophecy and experience. He was a beacon of hope in a time of despair, a man who dared to dream of a renewed world for his people. Yet, he also lived to see that hope violently crushed at Wounded Knee. His story is a powerful reminder of the profound spiritual strength of Indigenous peoples, their capacity for resilience, and the devastating consequences of misunderstanding, fear, and unchecked power.
Through his unwavering faith and his role as a Kicking Bear historical Ghost Dance leader, he left an indelible mark on Native American history. His life serves as a critical historical record, a testament to the power of spiritual movements in times of crisis, and a somber reminder of the human cost of the American frontier’s expansion. Kicking Bear’s name remains synonymous with the Ghost Dance, a movement that, despite its tragic end, continues to symbolize Indigenous resistance, cultural survival, and the enduring power of hope in the face of overwhelming adversity.
