Spotted Elk

Spotted Elk
Heȟáka Glešká
Spotted Elk in 1888
Miniconjou, Lakota Sioux leader
Preceded byLone Horn (Heh-won-ge-chat or Ha-wón-je-tah  – aka One Horn)
Personal details
Bornc. 1826
DiedDecember 29, 1890(1890-12-29) (aged 63–64)
Wounded Knee Creek, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation (Lakota:Chankwe Opi Wakpala, Wazí Aháŋhaŋ Oyáŋke), South Dakota, U.S.
Cause of deathKilled at the Wounded Knee Massacre
Resting place Wounded Knee Monument, Wounded Knee Creek
ParentLone Horn (father)
NicknameBig Foot (Si Tȟaŋka)

Spotted Elk (Lakota: Uŋpȟáŋ Glešká, sometimes spelled OH-PONG-GE-LE-SKAH or Hupah Glešká: c. 1826  – ( 1890-12-29)December 29, 1890), was a chief of the Miniconjou, Lakota Sioux. He was a son of Miniconjou chief Lone Horn and became a chief upon his father's death. He was a highly renowned chief with skills in war and negotiations. A United States Army soldier, at Fort Bennett, coined the nickname Big Foot (Si Tȟáŋka) – not to be confused with Oglala Big Foot (also known as Ste Si Tȟáŋka and Chetan keah).[1][2]

In 1890, he was killed by the U.S. Army at Wounded Knee Creek, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation (Chankwe Opi Wakpala, Wazí Aháŋhaŋ Oyáŋke), South Dakota, USA with at least 150 members of his tribe, in what became known as the Wounded Knee Massacre.

  1. ^ "Big Foot: Ste Si Tanka (Oglala)". American-tribes.com.
  2. ^ Michno, 303