Top 10 Greatest Indian Chiefs
Geronimo – Apache 1829 – 1909
His famous quote “I was no chief and never had been, but because I was most deeply wronged than others, this honor was conferred upon me, and I resolved to prove worthy of the trust.
Chief Joseph – Nez Perce 1840 – 1904
His famous quote “…Hear me my chiefs. I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun stands now I will fight no more forever.
Benito Juarez – Zapoteca 1806 – 1872
His famous quote “Between individuals, as between nations, peace means respect for the rights of others.”
Chief Tecumseh – Shawnee, 1768 – 1813
His famous quote “Before me stand the rightful owners of kwaw-notchi we au –kee (this beautiful land) of the Shawnee Indians of Chicago. The Great Spirit in His wisdom gave it to you and your children to defend, and placed you here.
Chief Black Hoof – Shawnee 1740 – 1831
The Shawnee Indians of Ohio formed a four-person committee, including Black Hoof, to negotiate terms. These negotiations resulted in the transfer of the Ohio Tribal lands held by the Shawnee nation to the United States government.
Cochise – Apache 1812 – 1874
His famous quote “When I was young I walked all over this country east and west, and saw no other people than the Apaches. After many summers I walked again and found another race of people had come to take it. How is it?”
Chief Sitting Bull – Lakota Nation 1831 – 1890
The Battle of Little Big Horn, 1876. Sioux, Cheyenne and Arapaho and other tribes set aside their differences in the face of intolerable abuse by The United States government and their warriors were amassing in the thousands when General George Custer ordered his 700 soldiers of the 7th Calvary of the United States Army to attack the Indian war party and his 700-troop regiment was subsequently annihilated in the ensuing battle.
Captain Jack – Modoc Kintpuash 1837 – 1873
During a high-level meeting, Captain Jack and several other Modocs drew their pistols in unison and killed two leading members of the government commission including General Edward Canby. The killings resulted in the United States government sending in over 1000 reinforcement troops, and the soldiers attacked Captain Jack’s stronghold with superior forces and successfully evicted the Modocs from their safe haven. On October 3, 1873 Captain Jack was hanged for the murder of General Canby.
Crazy Horse – Lakota Tasunke Wakan 1845 – 1877
Crazy Horse was an uncommonly handsome man and refused to allow anyone to take a photograph of him. He was physically perfect, an Apollo is symmetry. Furthermore, he was a true type of Indian refinement and grace. He demonstrated heroic skill and bravery during battle and was determined to preserve his traditional Indian culture.
