Bear's Heart facts for kids

Bear's Heart, “Cheyennes Among the Buffalo” (1875)

Bear's Heart (Nock-ko-ist in Cheyenne) was a talented ledger book artist. He was born in 1851 and lived until 1882. He belonged to the Cheyenne tribe.

In 1875, Bear's Heart was one of 72 Native Americans held at Fort Marion in St. Augustine, Florida. While he was there, he created many drawings. He used ink and colored pencils on pages from old accounting ledger books. In November 1876, he made a special group of drawings called the Bear's Heart Ledger Book.

Early Life and Imprisonment

Bear's Heart was born in 1851 into the Cheyenne tribe. After his father passed away, he joined a group of young men. In 1874, he was with the war leader, Medicine Water.

Later that year, he was taken prisoner. He was moved to Fort Sill. From there, he and over seventy other prisoners were taken on a long journey. They traveled by train and then by army wagons to Fort Marion.

Creating Ledger Art

During his time at Fort Marion, Bear's Heart made many drawings. He used colored pencils and ink on pages from old ledger books. These were like large notebooks used for keeping records.

In November 1876, he created a special collection of 24 drawings. This collection is known as the Bear's Heart Ledger Book. It was unusual because he was given his own drawing book. Other artists often had to share old ledger books.

His drawings showed what daily life was like at Fort Marion. They also showed the American military's presence on Native lands. He continued to create art from 1875 to 1878.

Lieutenant Richard Henry Pratt oversaw 26 prisoner artists at the fort. Pratt used Bear's Heart's book to ask for more support for Native American education. He also sold some of Bear's Heart's art to tourists. This money helped fund "Indian education."

Later Life

After his release, Bear's Heart went to school. He attended the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute in Virginia. Later, he returned home to the Cheyenne Arapaho Reservation in Oklahoma. There, he worked as a carpenter. Bear's Heart passed away in 1882 from tuberculosis.

Collections

Bear's Heart's artwork is held in several important collections. These include the Hampton Institute, the Museum of the American Indian, the Massachusetts Historical Society, and the Yale University, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.

Gallery

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  Bears Heart - Transfer from Cars to Seamboat, 1875

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  Bears Heart - Entrance to Harbor, 1875

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  Bears Heart - On the Road to Florida, 1875

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  Bears Heart - Cheyennes Camp, 1875

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  Bears Heart - One of the Camps Between Ft. Sill and Caddo, 1875

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  Bears Heart - Catching a Shark, 1875