Standing Buffalo was a long standing family name and according to historical records there are four related individuals who carried the name.
Using the media player above, listen to David Miller chronicle the history of these individuals (17m 16s).
Profiles of Standing Buffalo “Tatanka Najin” (1833 – 1871)
After the 1862 Dakota conflict (historically referred to as the Sioux Uprising or Dakota Conflict of 1862), Tatanka Najin (Standing Buffalo) a prominent Sisseton Dakota leader left American territory to prevent further trouble and loss of his people. The Dakota people’s resistance was the result of tensions between Dakota Indians, corrupt Indian Agents and traders. In the summer of 1862, the historic “Dakota Conflict” had taken place. Some written and published historic works relates that Tatanka Najin had taken part in the uprising while his descendants maintain the strong belief that he was a man of peace and did not take part. Tatanka Najin had taken some of his people away from the conflict many of who were weak, sick, and on the verge of starvation. Though many factors contributed to the war, the Dakota conflict remains one of the most somber and memorable events among the Dakota people in Canada and the United States of America.
Standing Buffalo was a charismatic, well-spoken leader who strived for a peaceful life for his people. Prior to settling in the Qu’Appelle Valley,” Standing Buffalo roamed for seven years with his people going back and forth between Canada and the United States of America, enduring many hardships over the seven years, the nomadic way of life was no longer viable for Tatanka Najin and his people, finally settling in the Qu’Appelle valley so that his people and future generations will have a permanent land base to call home: In the late 1880’s, the Qu’Appelle Valley became the official permanent home for Tatanka Najin and his people offering its medicinal plants and abundant lake nearby. Demonstrating his true intentions to keep peace, Standing Buffalo calmed the fears of his people by establishing trustworthy relationships with the white government and neighbouring First Nations leaders.
Louie Phillip Adelard Standing Buffalo “Tatanka Najin” (? – 1922)
The First Chief Standing Buffalo (Tatanka Najin) lived in Canada for a brief period of time. Tatanka Najin was killed in a raid on a Gros Ventre and Assiniboine camp, as related by elders Donald and Hazel McArthur , his grave site remains unknown to many of his descendants to this day. Tatanka Najin’s son, Standing Buffalo , then became chief remaining on the Standing Buffalo Indian Reserve. After Standing Buffalo was baptized Catholic, he later changed his name to Louie Phillip Adelard Standing Buffalo, recalled only by family as Adelard. He married the daughter of Itewakanodekiya. Descendants interviewed could not recall any information on her, however in an interview conducted in 2001with Charles Standing Buffalo, the son of Julius Standing Buffalo, Charles was able to identify her as being named “Wamani” (wah-maw-nee). Louie Phillip Adelard died June 21st, 1922 in the Qu’Appelle area after serving as hereditary chief for 50 years. Adelard’s grandson, Charles Standing Buffalo recalls the place where the older family members were baptized ‘up on the hill’ (on the reserve). He further relates that not all the family was baptized at the same church.
Adelard Standing Buffalo began to negotiate with the government for the needs of his people. Farming became the principle means of living in the Qu’Appelle Valley for many Dakotas. The people engaged in agricultural labour, wage labour, and subsistence gardening for their own means and as a way of supporting their families and community as further described in a report by the Indian Agent responsible for Standing Buffalo’s Band: “-Farming is the principal industry, and on which they depend almost entirely for a living. Owing to the shortage of pasture on this reserve, and the difficulty in securing hay, these Indians keep only a limited number of cattle. They have a few to sell in the fall, as well as a few to beef in the winter.” (27 – i – 11 dominion of Canada annual report of the department of Indian affairs for the year ended March 31 1912. pg 193).
Julius Standing Buffalo “Kanipeska Najin” (1869-1938)
Julius Standing Buffalo was the son of Adelard Standing Buffalo or Standing Buffalo. It is believed that he (Julius) was born in the Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan area around the year 1869, however family members believe that he was born on the Standing Buffalo Indian Reserve, others believe that it was Louie Phillip Adelard that was born in the Moose Jaw area and not Julius. Descended from the first Chief Standing Buffalo (Tatanka Najin) who fled from the Dakota conflict in Minnesota, he was the third generation hereditary chief of the Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation. Julius Standing Buffalo married Julia Bird from the Broadview Saskatchewan area, they had 6 children; Alec, Joseph Arthur, Charles, Vitaline, Annette, and Emma. One of his sons, Joseph Arthur was killed in WWI and is buried in France Bucquoy Rd Cemetery, Somme. Joseph Arthur was 20 years old at the time of his death.
In an interview November 9th, 2001 with the last surviving son of Julius, Charles Standing Buffalo ( 1916 – 2006) “Tahtopa Wakan” Following traditional protocol, Charles was presented with a braid of sweet grass and tobacco for his prayers and a gift of cookies and fruit, followed by a request for a taped interview. He related his experiences of growing up on the Standing Buffalo first nation, farming, and school days. He recalled the story of the day his older brother Joseph Arthur returned home from the war on leave and the big celebration that was held in his honour “….his Indian name was “Sinte Wakana Zuzuheceda Sinte Wakana” that means a rattlesnake’s tail, he got a name of that. Later one year, way back, of course, we weren’t born, but my sister Vitaline, she said, she was just about…… well the way she said it ‘Wanitake manopanceca’ , you see this picture when they go overseas they come back, here this is up the hill, up the hill make a big party…. Aunty Mary-Louise, she was telling me, when she cam back, when HE came back, last leave, she gave three horses away she said, see that’s what Indians do, yeah,….” . Charles was glad that someone should ask about the things he knows and his experiences would not be forgotten.
Julius was a devout Catholic throughout most of his life, and he also continued to practice traditional Dakota beliefs and spirituality, teaching his grandchildren the old Dakota ways of everyday customs and traditions. His grandchildren recalled the Dakota teachings as young children, for example his grandson, Senator Joseph Crowe of the Kahkewistahaw First Nation, related the morning prayer rituals that were offered in the Dakota language. Senator Crowe related sitting beside his grandfather Julius in the early morning hours watching his grandfather in prayer. He also related his experiences of attending and helping with spiritual ceremonies. He recalled his experiences in such rich detail that one can envision the vast surroundings, the particular care in preparation for each ceremony, as if the listener were present in each experience . His grandson also shared his experiences of travelling with his parents as a young boy to social gatherings, visiting neighbouring reserves, and how they would sometimes have to travel on trails between reserves that were well known only to the Indian people in the area. Hazel McArthur, grand-daughter of Julius Standing Buffalo, recalled very little of her grandfather Julius. Hazel McArthur was able to identify family members from photographs. Her memories are those of the teachings of her grandmother and her mother who was the daughter of Julius. Many of her memories re-inforced the Dakota values of kinship and its importance to Dakota beliefs. Family and extended family through adoption or marriage is the foundation of social and traditional moral practices.
Family oral history continues to reinforce traditional Dakota practices strongly emphasizing the respect that must always be practiced, whether it is through addressing family members speaking directly or indirectly to each other, and in child rearing. Although the Dakota language is not spoken among the descendants, it remains fundamental to the identity and history of Dakota people. Only a few names and places in Dakota remain a part of the descendants’ history. The Catholic faith has remained an integral part of the children and grandchildren.
After the death of his father Adelard in 1922, Julius became Chief of the Standing Buffalo Dakota Indians. Like his father, Julius was a strong leader and orator. His reputation as a well-respected and peaceful leader was evident through his working relationships with government, surrounding communities and other Saskatchewan First Nation’s leaders of his time. One of the most historic events in his young adult years was when he accompanied his father to Ottawa as interpreter to negotiate certain rights for the Standing Buffalo Dakota people . Another historic account is of a trip he had made to the United States in an attempt to get the U.S. government to fulfill promises of treaty annuities promised for land surrendered in the U.S. These promises were never fulfilled by the U.S. government claiming that the Dakota were no longer living in the U.S. and were not entitled to annuities. To this date, descendants still speak of the outstanding annuities that are still owed to the people of Standing Buffalo. The children of Julius Standing Buffalo carried the English translation of his Dakota name “Standing Buffalo” which later became their surname, however over the years their surname was shortened to “Buffalo” as was the case for several first nations’ families.
James Henderson Painting Julius Standing Buffalo
Some family members were able to ascertain that the painting by James Henderson is that of Julius Standing Buffalo. The likeness to old family photographs, archival images, and the distinct features of the Standing Buffalo family are meticulously accurate. The painting of Julius in his later years as Chief bears a striking resemblance to his father, Adelard, it was difficult for some descendants to distinguish father from son in the James Henderson portrait.
Hereditary Chiefs
Tatanka Najin (Standing Buffalo) (1833 – 1871)
Standing Buffalo (Louie Phillip Adelard Standing Buffalo) (? – 1922)
Julius Standing Buffalo (1869 – 1938)
Portrait of Sioux Indian (Chief Standing Buffalo), c. 1930
Oil on canvas
76.2 x 61.0 cm
Collection of John M. and Ethelene Gareau, Calgary, AB.
Provenance: Dr. Urban and Irene Gareau, Regina, John M. and Ethelene Gareau, Calgary.
This work was Item 19 at the 1936 Exhibition of Paintings by James Henderson at Regina College, October 19 to 24, 1936, under the auspices of the Art Committee, Local Council of Women. It was also shown in A Century of Canadian Art, 1938, at the Tate Gallery, London, S.W.1, No. 93.
