# Sitting Bull — A Cycle of the West character guide

> Sitting Bull in A Cycle of the West by John G. Neihardt.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Bull

**First appearance:** 0025-the-song-of-the-indian-wars

## Snapshot

A Hunkpapa holy man and resistance leader whose name becomes a rallying cry from the Little Horn to the far reaches of the Sioux country.

## Who they are

Sitting Bull is the spiritual and strategic center of the Lakota resistance, the leader whose presence at the Greasy Grass turns a gathering of bands into a wall against the cavalry. The poem reaches him obliquely, through rumor and the fear that chatters along the talking wire, so that he looms as much as a legend as a man. His refusal to be chained, and the awe he inspires even in those who hunt him, make him the moral counterweight to Custer's bright advance.

## In the story

### [The Song of the Indian Wars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_cycle_of_the_west_se/chapters/the-song-of-the-indian-wars)

Sitting Bull is portrayed as a spiritual leader and strategist who united tribes against the U.S. Army, particularly before the Little Bighorn.

### [The Song of the Indian Wars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_cycle_of_the_west_se/chapters/the-song-of-the-indian-wars)

Mentioned as a leader shepherding his people on the Tongue and Powder rivers, his 'weird medicine' is strong and draws young warriors.

### [III: The Council on the Powder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_cycle_of_the_west_se/chapters/iii-the-council-on-the-powder)

Delivers a stirring speech against white settlers, advocating for resistance and war.

### [VIII: The Yellow God](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_cycle_of_the_west_se/chapters/viii-the-yellow-god)

Listed alongside Crazy Horse and Gall as a leader of the Sioux who still hold to the old ways.

### [X: The Sun Dance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_cycle_of_the_west_se/chapters/x-the-sun-dance)

His 'weird medicine' is strong; he is a central figure in the gathering.

### [XIII: The Twilight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_cycle_of_the_west_se/chapters/xiii-the-twilight)

Reported by Spotted Tail as defeated and driven across the line.

### [XIV: The Death of Crazy Horse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_cycle_of_the_west_se/chapters/xiv-the-death-of-crazy-horse)

Mentioned as a destination for Joseph's flight.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_cycle_of_the_west_se/characters/sitting_bull
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_cycle_of_the_west_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_cycle_of_the_west_se/characters