Born in South Dakota, the young Sitting Bull saw fighting not only against the white men who came to claim tribal lands, but among the tribes as well. He distinguished himself early on as a courageous and daring warrior, killing his first buffalo at the age of 10 and "counting coup" on an enemy -- riding close and touching him with a coup stick -- just four years later. As he grew older, he was known not only for his bravery, but for his wisdom. In 1867, he was named principle chief of the Teton Sioux nation.

The Sioux lived under an uneasy truce with the white man during the late 1860s. The wars officially ended in 1868 with the treaty of Fort Laramie. The discover of gold in the Black Hills enticed white prospectors back into what was to have been Indian land, causing increased tension among the peoples.

Sitting Bull continued to be a voice for peace. He urged his people not to fight the white man, and argued with his fellow chiefs about whether hostile action was required.

In 1875, the federal government issued a decree that required all non-reservation Indians to report to the reservations.