The Betrayal of Crazy Horse

In September of 1877, just over a year after his great victory at Little Big Horn over General Armstrong Custer, the Oglala War Chief Crazy Horse, was killed while in the custody of the U.S. Army at Fort Robinson (Nebraska). In August of 1877, Chief Joseph and his band of Nez Perce had broken out of their reservation and were making their way to the Canadian border. There was significant concern as to whether Crazy Horse would inspire his people to join them. This, combined with inter-tribal politics, led to Crazy Horse being lured into military custody and his demise. Crazy Horse’s last day and controversial death are the subject of the Daniel Long Soldier’s latest Lakota Wicitowa (Lakota Paintings), created on 19th century ledger paper and faithfully reproduced in this four-piece Fine Art Edition. The naïve drawing style on an authentic 1800’s ledger, immediately raises the question of whether or not we are looking at something created 150 years ago or today.