The Bear Kicks

[andrew]

Hello,

In Census of Cheyenne River for 1886 I have found out family of The Bear Kicks. If I have correctly understood it variant of translation of the lakota name of Kicking Bear. After 1890 he disappears from Census of Cheyenne River, and instead of his family is written down the family of the Low Dog. In 1891 the Low Dog's family is written down as family of The Bear Kicks. Whether is the Kicking Bear the Low Dog's relative?

Andrew

[shan]

Andrew,

Some while back whilst trying to research Low Dog, I came across this rather strange piece of information. I don't know if this will be of any help, but it seems that at the time of the Ghost Dance, Low Dog was one of the prominent Indians the authorities feared might stir up trouble. As it happened, it seems he wasn't involved, but shortly afterwards he became embroiled with the authorities over the fact that they were demanding that he present a boy he had in his care, present him in order that the boy might attend school. It seems that Low Dog became angry with the agent and was very much against the boy having to attend school, as a result he was eventually arrested and sent to prison at Fort Sully where he served 6 months.
Now here's the bit that might interest you. The boy was apparently the son of Kicking Bear. There was no mention why Low Dog should be looking after this boy, nor that he was in anyway related to Kicking Bear, but there seems to be some sort of connection here with the information you have uncovered. As far as I know Low Dog was at the Cheyenne River agency at the time he fell out with the authorities, and according to the documents I've seen, he was certainly sent back there after he had served his sentence
Shan

[crzhrs]

Considering Low Dog's hard-core "I am Sioux and will always be a Sioux" philosophy . . . it's not hard to believe his disdain for Sioux children attending White Man's school.

Kicking Bear was another hard-case. 100% Sioux, follower/friend of Crazy Horse and a leading advocate for the Ghost Dance.

The relationship between the two men would not be that much of a stretch.

[andrew]

Shan and Crzhrs, thank for explanation.

Andrew