Inkpaduta facts for kids

Inkpaduta (whose name means "Red End" or "Scarlet Point" in the Dakota language) was an important leader of the Wahpekute band of the Dakota. He lived from about 1797 to 1881. Inkpaduta was a war chief who played a role in the 1857 Spirit Lake Massacre. He also fought against the United States Army in the Dakota Territory, Wyoming, and Montana.

Inkpaduta's Early Life

Inkpaduta was born around 1800-1815 near Cannon Lake (Rice County, Minnesota) in what is now Rice County, Minnesota. His father was Chief Wamdisapa, also known as Black Eagle.

Childhood Illness

When Inkpaduta was a child, he got smallpox. This disease was very serious and caused the deaths of many of his family members. Inkpaduta survived, but the illness left scars on his face and body for the rest of his life.

Moving the Village

Before 1841, Inkpaduta's father, Wamdisapa, moved their village. This village was known as the Red Top band. They moved to the area near the Vermillion River (South Dakota).

Inkpaduta's Role as Chief

Inkpaduta and his band did not agree to the 1851 Treaty of Mendota. This treaty gave land in northwestern Iowa to the United States. Because they didn't sign it, Inkpaduta's band did not feel bound by its rules.

Family Tragedy and Leadership

In 1852, a trader named Henry Lott killed Inkpaduta's older brother, who was the chief at the time. Lott also killed nine other family members. After this tragedy, Inkpaduta became the new chief of his band. He reported the murders to the U.S. Army, but Lott was not brought to justice.

The Spirit Lake Conflict

In the cold winter of 1857, Inkpaduta's band was very hungry. On March 8, they raided white settler homes in the Spirit Lake area of Iowa. During these raids, 38 people were killed. White Americans called this event the Spirit Lake Massacre.

Inkpaduta's warriors took four young women captive. Three of the women were married, and one, Abbie Gardner, was 14 years old.

Escape and Ransom

Troops from Fort Ridgely in Minnesota chased Inkpaduta and his band. However, they managed to escape capture. Along the way, two of the captive women died. The third woman was released soon after.

In the summer of 1858, the U.S. government successfully negotiated for Abbie Gardner's release. She was returned to Spirit Lake. Later, Abbie Gardner wrote a book about her experiences and captivity. Her book was published in 1888 and became very popular.

Later Years and Battles

By the time of the Dakota War of 1862, Inkpaduta had already left Minnesota. Other Dakota people had helped push him out. They did not want to risk losing their own payments and goods from the government.

Fighting the U.S. Army

After the 1862 war, many Dakota people were forced out of Minnesota. The Army sent two large expeditions into Dakota Territory. In 1863, Henry Hastings Sibley led one expedition. He defeated the Dakota in several battles.

In 1864, Alfred Sully led an even larger expedition. This expedition ended with the Dakota's defeat at the Battle of Killdeer Mountain.

Joining the Lakota

Inkpaduta's band moved west with their relatives, the Lakota. He eventually joined the Lakota (also known as the Western or Teton Sioux). He became friends with the famous leader Sitting Bull. Inkpaduta fought alongside the Lakota against Custer at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Life in Canada

After the Battle of Little Bighorn, Sitting Bull and his followers went to Canada. Inkpaduta went with them. He passed away in Manitoba, Canada, in 1881.