American Horse the Younger Shares About his Tactic of Peace Save His People

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My name is American Horse, and I come from the Oglala Lakota people. My life was shaped by both war and peace, by the struggle to protect my people and the hope to find a better way forward. You may have heard my name before—there were actually two Lakota leaders called American Horse, and I am the one known as a peacemaker. Let me tell you my story.

I was born around 1840, during a time when my people roamed freely across the Great Plains, following the buffalo and living as we had for generations. My father, also named American Horse, was a respected warrior, and I grew up learning how to ride, hunt, and fight. The Lakota way of life was built on strength, respect, and survival, and I carried these lessons with me throughout my life.

As I became a warrior, I fought to defend our lands and our way of life against the U.S. government, which was sending soldiers and settlers into our territory. I fought in Red Cloud’s War during the 1860s, helping to resist the forts being built along the Bozeman Trail. We won that war, and the U.S. government agreed to leave our lands alone. But they did not keep their promises.

By the 1870s, tensions had risen again. The government wanted us to move onto reservations, but many of our people refused. I fought at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876, where we defeated General Custer and his cavalry. It was a great victory, but we knew it would bring even more soldiers against us.

After the wars, I saw that fighting alone would not save my people. The U.S. government had too many soldiers, too many weapons. So I made a difficult choice—I chose the path of peace. I became one of the first Lakota leaders to advocate for education and cooperation, believing that survival now meant learning to live in this new world while still holding onto our identity. Some of my people disagreed with me, but I believed I was doing what was best for our future.

As a chief, I traveled to Washington, D.C., to speak on behalf of my people. I worked to ensure that Lakota children had schools and that our people were treated with dignity. I also became a leader in the Wild West shows, where we demonstrated Lakota traditions to audiences across the country. Some saw this as a way to preserve our culture, while others felt it was a sign of surrender. For me, it was a way to make sure our stories and traditions lived on.

I passed away in 1908, knowing that my people had suffered greatly, but still believing in our strength. The Lakota way of life changed forever, but we endured. Our culture, our language, and our spirit did not fade away.

If there is one thing I want you to remember from my story, it is this: strength is not only found in battle. Sometimes, the bravest thing a leader can do is find a new path forward. I fought for my people in war, and I fought for them in peace. And in the end, I hope I made a difference. Thank you for listening.

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