Landmarks in Iowa History: Spirit Lake Massacre 

I'm Oglala Lakota. My adoptive Grandparents were missionaries and adopted my Mom from South Dakota. They later moved my mother where my mom met my dad in a small town about 1.5 hrs away from Spirit Lake. Been there many times. Lincoln executed Eastern Sioux for this. Similar to Western Sioux but with little interaction. Largest mass execution in American history in Mankato, Minnesota. God Bless.

II recently wrote a piece about your ancestor Inkpaduta. The Battle of the Little Bighorn was the last battle in which this Santee Sioux leader participated. It is shocking that Inkpaduta is barely remembered today, even among his own people: he and his followers fought more battles in a twenty-year period and killed more white soldiers than any other Sioux band. At his death, he remained the only major Sioux leader never to sign a treaty, live on a reservation, or surrender to the U.S. government. According to Lakota accounts after the battle, Inkpaduta's son Sounds the Ground as He Walks took Custer's horse "Vic" as his share of the spoils and rode Vic for many years afterwards in Manitoba. Some Lakota credited Sounds the Ground for personally killing Custer. Go here if you would like to read a fuller account of Inkpaduta's life and legacy: facebook.com/groups/forgotteniowa/permalink/165127230838664

Very insensitive, indeed. I recommend reading our blog post on this film: isuspecialcollections.wordpress.com/2018/05/25/the-limits-of-looking-landmarks-in-iowa-history-and-the-white-gaze/

Bryan Wilkins he the says I don’t think that is always the case. I think that he is very understanding especially for the 60’s, imo.

@@ISUSpecialCollection The stealing of lands from the indigenous ppl of America is 2nd only to our history of slavery. My folks grew up here but moved south in 1959. We vacationed here every summer. Your link provides an honest approach. Thanks for that.

@@ISUSpecialCollection Very well done perspective to read after you watch Herb Hake's presentation above. It is good to look into what might have caused the massacre. There was so much tragedy that occurred and was caused by both peoples.