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Running Antelope or Tȟatȟóka Íŋyaŋke (1821–1896) became a head chief of the Húŋkpapȟa in 1851. Known for his bravery in war, and skills in oratory and diplomacy, Running Antelope was one of four Huŋkpapȟa principal chiefs who acted as close advisors to Sitting Bull during the Plains Indian Wars. His belief that compromise with the whites was in their best interests led to his eventually distancing himself from Sitting Bull. Perhaps one of the only American Indians depicted on U.S. paper money, the picture caused ill will as the Series 1899 $5 Silver Certificate pictured Running Antelope as a chief wearing a Pawnee head dress as the original Lakota head dress was too tall for the engraving.
Early life
When Running Antelope was born near the Grand River, presently South Dakota, in 1821, few white men were in the area. Consequently, he grew up in the old traditions of his people. He learned to ride and hunt, and later went on horse-stealing expeditions and war parties and joined the secret societies. By the time he reached manhood things had changed. The whites were more numerous, and the Indians were forced to adapt to the new conditions. Many Sioux took up arms and became strong in warfare; the Hunkpapas, one of the smaller bands of the Tetons, became one of the strongest. Running Antelope, however, was one of the first Hunkpapas to reject the warpath and become a friend of the whites. Running Antelope, in his earlier years, was closely allied with Sitting Bull, who was eleven years his junior. Running Antelope, a band chief, was prominent among the Lakota.
Hunkpapa leader
In 1851, Running Antelope was elected one of four "shirt wearers" of the Húŋkpapȟa. A shirt wearer served to intercede between the council and the headmen and akíčhita who carried out tribal policy and decisions. He was a brave warrior and accomplished diplomat. A great council with the Sioux was called at Fort Laramie and Fort Rice in 1868. Running Antelope signed the Treaty of 1868 at Fort Rice. It was often said that Running Antelope was the greatest orator of the Sioux Nation. He attended the Fort Laramie, Fort Rice and Fort Peck treaty councils. Under the influence of James McLaughlin, he became a dominant leader of the reservation Hunkpapa people at the Grand River Agency. He was enrolled in 1868 at Grand River Agency, later part of Standing Rock Reservation in North and South Dakota. After the allotment period. Running Antelope established a settlement of about sixty families in the Grand River valley and opened a store. In his later years, he regretted signing the 1868 Treaty and longed for the time when the Lakota were free, and realigned with Sitting Bull. Late in 1880, the followers of Sitting Bull began to return from exile in Canada and in the spring of 1881, Running Antelope was enlisted as a scout in the army to go to Fort Buford to escort Gall and his followers to Standing Rock.
Last buffalo hunt
He was chosen to lead the last great Sioux buffalo hunt in June, 1882. A large herd was sighted about a hundred miles west of Fort Yates, and a hunting of 2,000 men, women and children left the fort on June 10. The next morning the herd numbering approximately 50,000 buffalo was sighted and the hunt was on. About 2,000 were killed the first day, and the camp moved up to the scene of the hunt and the butchering began. The next day another 3,000 were killed and the camp settled in near a creek to jerk the meat and prepare pemmican. As usual when meat was plentiful, the labors of the Indian camp were lightened by feasting.
Welch notes concerning Running Antelope, undated:
Chief Grass advised that Running Antelope, in the opinion of the Indians, probably eclipsed John Grass as an orator.
Running Antelope was chief on the last great Buffalo Hunt, Sept– Oct. 1883.
He died about 1894 and is buried at Little Eagle, on the Standing Rock Reservation.
Bede Using Arrow, Yanktonaise, talks to Welch, Nov 24, 1926:
This really means Runner of Antelope. His father was a Hunkpapa Teton and his mother was of the Teton branch, the Sihasapa, or Black feet.
He had six brothers, one of whom was Rain in the Face. Of these seven men, five of them became Chiefs during their lifetime.
Hunting, The Last Buffalo Hunts, 1882, 1883
Letter relating to the ‘Great Buffalo Hunt’ of June 1882, described by McLaughlin in his book , ‘My Friend the Indian” This material was donated to National Archives, Nov. 2005.
“…But if I would tell the tale of great hunters I must enumerate the head men of the Sioux Nation. They were all in that hunt and at peace on the banks of the Hidden Wood Creek that night. Years after, in the trying times of the ghost-dancing, when Sitting Bull sought to arouse his people against the whites there was bitterness, enmity, and death; but that night Hunkpapas, Blackfeet, Upper and Lower Yanktonais, and whites were friends in feasting as they are friends to-day, and I never visit my old home at Standing Rock but that some of them gather at my door and go over the story of the great buffalo hunt of 1882.”
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Mrs. John Grass’ participation in one of the last buffalo hunts – 1882
Letter relating to the ‘Great Buffalo Hunt’ of September 1883,described by McLaughlin in his book , ‘My Friend the Indian” This material was donated to National Archives, Nov. 2005.
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Letter from John McLaughlin’s widow to A. B. Welch … showing their close relationship and why he probably obtained these particular letters. Her son, Charles, also gave Welch several original letters and copybooks of McLaughlin’s in 1926
Running Antelope, appointed Leader of the 1883 Hunt
Mandan Pioneer News, 1883
Later life
In 1899,Ta-to-ka-in-yan-ka, also known as Running Antelope, a member of the Hunkpapha Lakota. George F. C. Smillie engraved the portrait. This is the only issue of U.S. paper money for which a Native American was selected as the central feature. He died between June 30, 1896 and June 30, 1897. He is buried at the Long Hill Cemetery east of Little Eagle, South Dakota.
On the 1885 Standing Rock ration list, he had ten lodges and 42 people in his care. Wahacanka Sapa (Black Shield); Mato Luta (Red Bear); Edwin Phelps Aknan Iyanke (Runs on It); Mato Hotanka (Loud Voice Bear); Rlaya Wakua (Chase Rattling); Winkta Yuza (Married to Hermaphrodite); Cante Witko (Fool Heart); Pte San Waste Win (Pretty Grey Cow); Tatanka He Ksa (Broken Horn Bull).
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