He was a Lakota or Sioux Indian leader who attempted to ease his peoples' suffering and confusion after the defeats on the plains. During the Ghost Dance troubles in 1889-1890, he tried to keep his people out of the impending disaster. When he heard of the plot to wipe out the soldiers at Wounded Knee, he tried to prevent it and was almost killed for his efforts. The hot-heads prevailed. Wearing their invulnerable Ghost Shirts, they attacked the army and now we have the revisionists wailing over the Woundend Knee Massacre.