How Custer’s Lakota killer became Annie Oakley’s adopted father

Sitting Bull’s Adoption of Sharpshooter Annie Oakley

In 1884, a most unlikely bond formed when Sitting Bull, the Lakota chief who beat Custer, met Annie Oakley in St. Paul. Still a prisoner at Fort Yates, he paid $65 just for a photo with the young sharpshooter.

Soon after, he adopted her as his daughter to fill the void left by his own child’s death after Little Bighorn. He named her “Watanya Cicilla” (Little Sure Shot) and gave her his daughter’s moccasins.

The next year, both joined Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show, where their friendship grew despite America’s harsh treatment of Native peoples.

The Buffalo Bill Center in Wyoming now houses treasures from this remarkable friendship, including Oakley’s saddle, guns, and Sitting Bull’s handcrafted items.

A Famous Chief Got Starstruck By A Female Sharpshooter

In March 1884, Hunkpapa Lakota Chief Sitting Bull watched Annie Oakley perform in St. Paul, Minnesota.

He was still locked up at Fort Yates but got permission to see the show.

The famous warrior who beat Custer couldn’t look away from the small 24-year-old woman hitting target after target.

Sitting Bull liked her shooting skills and humble manner so much that he paid $65 for a photo with her and met her in person.

They became friends right away.

The Chief Called Her “Little Sure Shot” After Losing His Own Daughter

Sitting Bull made their bond stronger by taking Annie as his daughter. His daughter had been about Annie’s age when she died.

This helped fill the empty space left by his own daughter who died after the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876. He named Annie “Watanya Cicilla” in Lakota, meaning “Little Sure Shot,” a nickname she kept her whole career.

He gave her a special gift: moccasins his daughter made, the same ones he wore during the famous Custer battle.

Buffalo Bill Wanted The Famous Chief For His Show

William “Buffalo Bill” Cody knew crowds would come to see Sitting Bull in his Wild West show. The chief was famous across America for beating Custer at Little Bighorn.

Secretary Lucius Lamar first said no, worried the chief might cause trouble. Cody and his manager John Burke kept asking until Lamar gave in.

The government limited what Sitting Bull could do – he could join parades and ride in the arena but couldn’t act in battle scenes that might stir up bad memories.

Money Talks: Sitting Bull Got The Best Deal In Show Business

On June 6, 1885, Sitting Bull signed a four-month deal with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show. He got $50 weekly plus a $125 signing bonus, big money back then.

The smart chief also got the right to sell his own autograph and photos, charging $1. 50 per signature. He joined the group in Buffalo, New York on June 12, 1885.

These terms made him the highest-paid performer in the whole show, even though he did less than other performers.

The Girl From Ohio Could Shoot Like Nobody’s Business

Annie Oakley joined Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show earlier in 1885 before Sitting Bull arrived. Though just five feet tall, she became the star with her amazing shooting.

Crowds watched in awe as she split playing cards edge-on from 30 steps away, shot cigarettes from helpers’ mouths, and hit dimes thrown in the air.

Her clean image and great skills made the show appeal to women and children, not just men. Her act made rough entertainment seem more respectable.

Old Friends Reunited Under The Big Top

Sitting Bull and Annie’s friendship grew stronger when they met again at Buffalo Bill’s show. They traveled through many cities during the 1885 season, forming a bond across cultures.

Annie later wrote that Sitting Bull “made a great pet” of her, bringing small gifts and watching her shows with pride.

She called him her “dear, faithful, old friend” in her writings. Their friendship stood out when most Americans feared or looked down on Native people.

Crowds Booed The Chief But He Kept His Dignity

Sitting Bull simply rode into the arena alone on his horse, wearing traditional clothes and feathers. American crowds often booed him, calling him “Custer’s murderer” and worse.

In Canadian cities, people cheered for him instead. Despite facing hatred night after night, Sitting Bull stayed calm and proud.

He spoke about his people’s needs to reporters, using his fame to stand up for Native Americans.

The Warrior Learned About White America From The Inside

During four months with the show, Sitting Bull visited 40 American and Canadian cities. The trip showed him how many white settlers lived in North America.

He even met President Grover Cleveland, which he saw as proof of his importance as a chief. He gave away most of his money to friends, family, and even poor white children he saw on the streets.

Annie Stood Up For Her Adopted Father Against Critics

Annie Oakley defended Sitting Bull her whole life when others spoke badly of him. She got his side in ways few white Americans did.

In her writing, she said he “fought justly, for his people had been driven from their God-given inheritance” and were “living upon broken promises” from the government.

Annie kept respecting him despite public opinion against Native Americans. She showed her free thinking and loyalty by speaking up for him.

The Chief Headed Home After Four Months On The Road

By October 1885, Sitting Bull grew tired of city life and left the show when his contract ended.

When he tried to rejoin the Wild West show in 1886, government officials said no. Buffalo Bill gave him a horse as a goodbye gift, which Sitting Bull really liked.

He hated the noise and crowds of Eastern cities and missed the open spaces of Dakota Territory. He went back to Standing Rock Reservation.

A Tragic End Came During The Ghost Dance Movement

In 1889-1890, the Ghost Dance religious movement spread through reservations, promising a return to traditional ways and the disappearance of white settlers.

Indian agent James McLaughlin feared Sitting Bull would join this movement and ordered his arrest. On December 15, 1890, Indian police surrounded his cabin at dawn.

As they tried to take him away, Sitting Bull’s supporters fought back. In the chaos, the 59-year-old chief was shot twice and killed.

The friendship between the chief and the sharpshooter ended with his death, but Annie Oakley continued honoring his memory for the rest of her life.

Visiting Buffalo Bill Center, Wyoming

The Buffalo Bill Center at 720 Sheridan Avenue in Cody explores the friendship between Chief Sitting Bull and Annie Oakley, who he adopted as his daughter “Little Sure Shot.”

Adult admission is $23 and covers all five museums for two consecutive days. You get free daily guided tours at 10:30am, 1pm, and 2:30pm.

For deeper access, book exclusive tours starting at $90 to see artifacts not shown to regular visitors.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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