Tatankamani facts for kids
Red Wing II (born around 1755, died 1829) was an important leader of the Mdewakanton Dakota tribe. His Dakota name was Tatankamani, which means "Walking Buffalo." He lived in the upper Mississippi Valley, near what is now Red Wing, Minnesota. His village was located at a famous spot called Barn Bluff.
During the War of 1812, Chief Red Wing II first helped the British. But in 1814, he decided to support the Americans instead.
Early Life of Tatankamani
Tatankamani was born in the mid-1700s. His father was the first Chief Red Wing. His father also took part in a conflict called Pontiac's War. Tatankamani's family group, called the Mantanton, likely lived near the Minnesota River. He became chief after his father around 1806.
When he was young, Tatankamani was a very skilled hunter and warrior. His followers believed he had special powers. They thought he could see the future through his dreams. This belief helped him win many battles against other tribes. By the late 1700s, he led a larger group of Mdewakanton people.
Working with Americans and British
In 1805, a 26-year-old American explorer named Lieutenant Zebulon Pike traveled through the upper Mississippi area. He met with seven Mdewakanton Dakota leaders. On September 23, 1805, a deal called the Treaty of St. Peters was signed. It is also known as Pike's Purchase. This treaty gave about 100,000 acres of land to the United States. The land was for building a fort near the Minnesota River. Tatankamani was there, but he did not sign the treaty.
In 1812, a war started between the United States and Great Britain. This war was called the War of 1812. It created a problem for Tatankamani. The Mdewakanton and their leader had been friends with the British. To figure things out, Tatankamani sent his oldest son to Washington D.C.. There, his son met with the U.S. Secretary of War. Meanwhile, Red Wing met with British leaders. The Mdewakanton agreed to fight for the British.
Tatankamani is thought to have led Dakota soldiers to Mackinac Island in Michigan. They helped the British win a battle there without any fighting. But when he returned home, he heard his son's stories about how strong the United States was. By February 1814, the Red Wing Mdewakanton decided to help the Americans. A letter from a British trader confirmed they had switched sides.
After the war ended, the United States invited Chief Red Wing II and other leaders to a meeting. This meeting was in St. Louis. On July 19, 1815, Tatankamani signed a treaty. He signed as "Tatangamanee, Walking Buffalo." He represented the "Sioux (Dakota) of the Lakes." Other leaders from his group also signed.
Later Life
During the war, Tatankamani moved his village south. It was at the base of He Mni Caŋ. This is now downtown Red Wing, Minnesota. The bluff was a well-known landmark, about 300 feet high. More and more white travelers came up the Mississippi River. They often stopped at the village and talked with the aging Mdewakanton leader. In 1825, he took part in important talks. These talks were with Ojibwe and United States leaders. They met downriver at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.
Tatankamani died on March 4, 1829. His nephew or stepson, Wacouta I, became the new chief.
