Wild Westing

Wild Westers received good wages, transportation, housing, abundant food, and gifts of cash and clothing at the end of each season.

First begun in Wild West shows, Pow-wow culture is popular with Native Americans throughout the United States and a source of tribal enterprise.

Newspapers, dime-store novels, Wild West shows, and public exhibitions portrayed Native Americans as a "vanishing race."

During the Progressive Era, U.S. government policy focused upon acquiring Indian lands, restricting cultural and religious practices and sending Native American children to boarding schools.

[3] The Society of American Indians was opposed to Wild West shows, theatrical troupes, circuses and most motion picture firms.

Millions of Americans and Europeans enjoyed the imagery and adventure of historic reenactments of the Battle of Little Big Horn; demonstrations of Lakota horse culture and equestrian skills; archery, ceremonial dancing, cooking and music.

Visitors could stroll through model Indian tipi "villages" and meet performers; available for purchase were crafts from women artisans, and autographed postcards, photographs and memorabilia from famous Wild Westers.

Wild Westers received good wages, transportation, housing, abundant food, and gifts of cash and clothing from Buffalo Bill at the end of each season.

[15] Most performers spent one or two seasons on the road; some Wild Westers became cowboys, stuntmen for films, artisans, musicians, educators, authors, movie actors and entrepreneurs.

It offered a path of opportunity during a time when people believed Native Americans were a vanishing race, whose only hope for survival was rapid cultural transformation.

Performers were permitted to freely travel by automobile or by train, for shopping, sightseeing, visiting friends, attending parties and gala events.

Chief Iron Tail was the most famous Native American of his day; a popular subject for professional photographers, he had his image circulated across the continents.

[23] Early dime novels, Wild West shows and Golden Age photographers, portraitists and movie-makers created the theatrical image and portrayal of the Lakota people as the iconic American Indian mounted warrior.

[24] Wild Westing and the Carlisle Indian School were portals to education, opportunity and hope, and came at a time when the Lakota people were impoverished, harassed and confined.

[30] Goings carefully chose the famous chiefs, the best dancers, the best singers, and the best riders; screened for performers willing to be away from home for extended periods of time; and coordinated travel, room and board.

[35] During the Progressive Era, from the late 19th century until the onset of World War I, Native American performers were major draws and money-makers.

Millions of visitors at world fairs, exhibitions and parades throughout the United States and Europe observed Native Americans portrayed as the vanishing race, exotic peoples and objects of modern comparative anthropology.

The fight for the image of the Native American began when Reformist Progressives pressured organizers to deny Buffalo Bill a place at the Columbian Exposition of 1893 in Chicago, Illinois.

Seventy-four Wild Westers from Pine Ridge, South Dakota, who had recently returned from a tour of Europe, were contracted to perform in the show.

Cody also brought in an additional one hundred Wild Westers directly from Pine Ridge, Standing Rock and Rosebud reservations, who visited the Exposition at his expense and participated in the opening ceremonies.

[39] Over two million patrons saw Buffalo Bill's Wild West outside the Columbian Exposition, often mistaking the show as an integral part to the World's Fair.

[45] On March 4, 1905, Wild Westers and Carlisle students portrayed contrasting images of Native Americans at the first inaugural parade of Theodore Roosevelt.

[46] Theodore Roosevelt sat in the presidential box with his wife, daughter and other guests, and watched West Point cadets and the famed 7th Cavalry, General George A. Custer's former unit that fought at the Battle of Little Bighorn, march down Pennsylvania Avenue.

First began in Wild West shows, Pow-wow culture is popular with Native American throughout the United States and a source of tribal enterprise.

"The Last Great Congress of the Red Man", Pan-American Exposition , Buffalo, New York, 1901.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, public expositions portrayed Native Americans as a "vanishing race." Photo of Navajos by Edward Curtis.
In 1893, over two million patrons saw Buffalo Bill's Wild West perform during the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois.
Chief Red Shirt was popular with journalists and newspapers and was the most quoted Wild Wester celebrity.
Chief Iron Tail was one of the most famous Native American celebrities of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Professional photographers circulated his image across the continents.
Wild Westers with Buffalo Bill's Wild West, Cliff House, San Francisco , 1902. Wild Westing offered adventure and personal time, and performers traveled to the great cities of the world.
" Buffalo Bill " was one of the most popular entertainers in America and Europe during the Progressive era. He believed Indians to be equals to whites, and allowed Indians to be Indians. He believed Native Americans would observe modern life and different cultures, acquire new skills and customs, and change at their own pace and terms.
Geronimo was one of the most famous Wild Westers.
On March 31, 1887, Chief Blue Horse , Chief American Horse and Chief Red Shirt and their families boarded the S.S. State of Nebraska in New York City, and began a new journey for the Lakota people when they crossed the sea to England with Buffalo Bill to perform at the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria .
Luther Standing Bear was taught to be brave and unafraid to die; he left the reservation to attend Carlisle and bring honor to his family. In 1902, with his wife Nellie and their children, Standing Bear joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West and traveled through England for eleven months. Luther was hired as an interpreter and chaperon for seventy-five Indians. He also performed as a skilled horseback rider and dancer.
Samuel American Horse was a Carlisle Wild Wester. Since 1887, Wild Westing has been family tradition with several hundred Pine Ridge families.
Frank C. Goings, the recruiting agent for Buffalo Bill and other Wild West shows at Pine Ridge, was a Carlisle Wild Wester.
Left to right: Col. Frederick T. Cummins, General Manager of the Exposition; High Hawk, Jack Red Cloud , Chief Blue Horse , Little Wound and William Jennings Bryan . Pan-American Exposition of 1901 .
First inaugural parade of Theodore Roosevelt, March 4, 1905
Six tribal leaders (l to r) Little Plume (Piegan), Buckskin Charley (Ute), Geronimo (Chiricahua Apache), Quanah Parker (Comanche), Hollow Horn Bear (Sicangu Lakota), and American Horse (Oglala Lakota) on horseback in ceremonial attire.
Americans and Europeans continue to have a great interest in Native peoples and enjoy modern Pow-wow culture. First began in Wild West shows, Pow-wow culture is popular with Native Americans throughout the United States and a source of tribal enterprise.