Born around 1831 in what is now South Dakota, Sitting Bull wasn’t always called that.
As a boy of the Hunkpapa Lakota, he was named “Slow” — quiet, thoughtful, and deliberate. Over time, those very qualities became his greatest strengths.
At just 10 years old, he killed his first buffalo. By 14, he joined a raid against the Crow and struck down an enemy warrior from horseback. His father, overwhelmed with pride, gave his own name to his son: Tatanka Iyotake — Sitting Bull.
He grew into a leader known for his wisdom, courage, and unshakable calm. His people believed bullets seemed to fear him.
In 1872, when U.S. soldiers moved forward to build a railroad across Lakota lands, Sitting Bull stepped to the front lines, sat down, and began to smoke his pipe.
Gunfire cracked through the air — yet he didn’t budge.
He calmly finished his smoke, tapped the ashes from his bowl, cleaned it carefully, and walked away unharmed.
His nephew, White Bull, later said it was “the bravest action possible.”
But for Sitting Bull, it wasn’t about courage — it was about spirit, about showing the world that strength doesn’t need to roar. Sometimes, it simply sits still.