Luther Standing Bear
Luther Standing Bear Luther Standing Bear born “Ota Kte” or Plenty Kill was born to the Sioux tribe. He was the first born son to Chief Standing Bear and Pretty Face. Chief Standing Bear was respected in the Sioux tribe and Luther wanted nothing more to make his father proud of him. Every decision Luther made was with thought of making his father proud of him. He strived to learn the white man’s way and use that knowledge to educate his people. He was a fair man and stood up for the rights of his people.
As Luther states in his book “My People the Sioux”, he was born, “in the year of ‘breaking up of camp” (3). It was not until after he became educated and learned how to count the dates back that he came to the conclusion he was born in December of 1868. Luther grew up on the Sioux reservation and learned the values and customs of his people. He embraced them and wanted to learn as much from his father as he possibly could. Luther’s father instilled in him to always be honest, brave and if you were to die, die with dignity and honor. At one point his father told him, “Son, always remember that a man who tells lies is never liked by anybody” (Standing Bear, 65). At a young age Luther decided he was going to attend Carlisle a white man’s school. He had the words of his father in his head “Son, be brave! Die on the battle-field if necessary away from home. It is better to die young than to get old and sick and then die” (Standing Bear, 124).
Luther believed that going to school was his opportunity to show his father that he was brave and was prepared to die there if necessary. Eventually he learned that by him going to school he would be able to offer his father an even greater gift. He would be able to help his father when dealing with the white men by being able to act as his translator. He vowed to learn everything he possibly could from the white man. He immersed himself into his studies and never turned down a task that was given to him. He was determined to
As Luther states in his book “My People the Sioux”, he was born, “in the year of ‘breaking up of camp” (3). It was not until after he became educated and learned how to count the dates back that he came to the conclusion he was born in December of 1868. Luther grew up on the Sioux reservation and learned the values and customs of his people. He embraced them and wanted to learn as much from his father as he possibly could. Luther’s father instilled in him to always be honest, brave and if you were to die, die with dignity and honor. At one point his father told him, “Son, always remember that a man who tells lies is never liked by anybody” (Standing Bear, 65). At a young age Luther decided he was going to attend Carlisle a white man’s school. He had the words of his father in his head “Son, be brave! Die on the battle-field if necessary away from home. It is better to die young than to get old and sick and then die” (Standing Bear, 124).
Luther believed that going to school was his opportunity to show his father that he was brave and was prepared to die there if necessary. Eventually he learned that by him going to school he would be able to offer his father an even greater gift. He would be able to help his father when dealing with the white men by being able to act as his translator. He vowed to learn everything he possibly could from the white man. He immersed himself into his studies and never turned down a task that was given to him. He was determined to
Cited: Anderson, Mark S. "The Works Of Luther Standing Bear." Journal Of The West 46.2 (2007): 93-95. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 May 2013. Standing, Bear Luther. My People, the Sioux. Lincoln: University of Nebraska, 1975. Koster, John. "Luther Standing Bear Went From Pine Ridge To Carlisle To Hollywood." Wild West 25.5 (2013): 22-23. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 May 2013. "Standing Bear, Luther (1868? - 1939)." Encyclopedia of North American Indians, Houghton Mifflin. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1996. Credo Reference. Web. 14 May 2013. .