James Bigheart was born Pun-Kah-Wi-Tah-An-Kah in 1838 to Nun-tsa-tum-kah and Wah-hui-shah near St. Paul, Kansas.

Bigheart converted to Catholicism, was educated at the Osage Mission's post, and fluent in multiple languages.

By 1881 Bigheart was the leader of the "Full Bloods", or Non-Progressives Party, of the Osage Nation.

[1][b] Bigheart is credited with leading his faction to delay the allotment of the Osage Nation reservation by about ten years.

[5] In 1989, the Chief James Bigheart Memorial Bridge was dedicated on Oklahoma State Highway 11.