On July 20, 1881, in the aftermath of Lieutenant Colonel Custer’s defeat at Little Bighorn, Sioux Chief Sitting Bull, a symbol of resilience, surrendered to U.S. troops after being promised amnesty for himself and his people. The Sioux uprising of 1876 had concluded with Custer’s death and that of 264 of his men at Little Bighorn. The U.S. Army, in pursuit of Sitting Bull, forced him to flee to Canada, followed by his people.

Sitting Bull, born in the Grand River Valley, which is now part of South Dakota, was a leader who earned the respect and recognition of his tribe. His exemplary warrior skills, visionary mindset, fierce determination, and unwavering goals set him apart. His leadership was evident in 1864, twelve years before the Sioux Uprising when he confronted the U.S. military led by General Alfred Sully at Killdeer Mountain. He then dedicated his life to leading the Sioux resistance against the white man’s appropriation of Sioux lands, a cause that gained him a large following from his tribe, as well as the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. This support led to his appointment as the principal chief of the Sioux nation in 1867.

In 1873, Sitting Bull would have his first encounter with Custer, a prelude to their last battle three years later. While Sitting Bull was not one of the strategic leaders of the Sioux Nation during the Battle of Little Bighorn, his influence led Crazy Horse and other native leaders to their victory over the U.S. military; because of this and the persecution he was subjected to when he escaped to Canada, where he returned to the U.S. in 1881 to surrender.

On July 20, 1881, in the wake of Lieutenant Colonel Custer’s defeat at Little Bighorn, Sioux Chief Sitting Bull surrendered to U.S. troops after being promised amnesty for himself and his people.