Ten Bears facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ten Bears
Pawʉʉrasʉmʉnurʉ |
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Chief Ten Bears
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| Comanche leader | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | ca. 1790 |
| Died | November 23, 1872 Fort Sill, Oklahoma |
| Resting place | Fort Sill Post Cemetery 34°40′9.7674″N 98°23′44.77″W / 34.669379833°N 98.3957694°W |
| Known for | Attempting to negotiate peace between the United States and the Comanche |
Ten Bears (in the Comanche language Pawʉʉrasʉmʉnurʉ), born around 1790, was an important leader of the Comanche people. He became the main chief of the Yamparika, or "Root Eater," division of the Comanche from about 1860 until his death on November 23, 1872. He also led a smaller group within the Yamparika called the Ketahto, or "The Barefeet," starting in the late 1840s.
The Yamparika Comanche were known to Spanish explorers as early as the 1750s. They were often found north of the Arkansas River. Later, as other tribes like the Cheyenne and Arapaho moved into their lands, some Yamparika groups, including the Ketahto, moved to areas in New Mexico and Texas.
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What Was Ten Bears' Early Life Like?
Ten Bears had a difficult start to life. He became an orphan when he was a baby. His family group was attacked and killed by the Lakotas.
Later, stories told by the Comanche people say that as a young man, Ten Bears was known for his bravery. He led attacks on Lakota villages, riding horses and using spears.
How Did Ten Bears Become a Leader?
Ten Bears played a big part in making peace between the Comanches and the Utes in 1820. He often had friendly competition with another leader named Isakwahip or Isakiip, which meant 'Wolf's Back' or 'Wolf's Elbow'. This leader was from another group in the North Canadian valley.
In 1840, Ten Bears was a key person in creating a major peace agreement. This agreement was between the Comanche and Kiowa tribes and the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. It happened after the Cheyenne and Arapaho won a battle at Wolf Creek in 1838.
To achieve this peace, Ten Bears worked with many other important Comanche chiefs. These included leaders like Shaved Head, Big Eagle, Tall Tree, Buffalo Hump, and Yellow Wolf. Together, they represented the Comanche nation during the peace talks. These talks led to a strong alliance between the different tribal groups.
Ten Bears first became known to Americans in 1853. He was one of the chiefs who signed the Treaty of Fort Atkinson. His name was first written incorrectly as "Parosawano," meaning 'Ten Sticks'. This was a mistake, confusing the Comanche word for 'bear' with the word for 'dogwood stick'. The error was fixed in a revised version of the treaty in 1854.
Around 1860, Ten Bears became the main chief of the Yamparika. This happened after the death of a chief known to Americans as 'Shaved Head'. In August 1861, Ten Bears also signed the Fort Cobb Treaty. This treaty was with General Albert Pike, who represented the Confederate states. It created an alliance with the "Gray Jackets," which was another name for the Confederates.
In 1863, Ten Bears traveled to Washington, D.C. He was part of a group of leaders from several Western Indian tribes. These included Southern Cheyennes, Southern Arapahoes, and Kiowas. However, he was not able to get many important agreements for his people from the U.S. government.
In November 1864, Ten Bears' village was near the ruins of an old trading post called Adobe Walls, Texas. Troops led by Colonel Christopher 'Kit' Carson attacked a nearby Kiowa village. Warriors from Ten Bears' village helped fight back. They drove Carson's men away. Sadly, one of Ten Bears' sons, Ekamoksu or 'Red Sleeve', was killed during this fight.
What Was the Treaty of the Little Arkansas River?
In 1865, Ten Bears and two of his sons, Isananaka ('Wolf's Name') and Hitetetsi ('Little Crow'), signed the Treaty of the Little Arkansas River. This treaty was signed in Kansas. Many other Comanches, mostly Yamparikas, also signed it.
The treaty tried to create a special land area, called a reservation, for the Comanches. This reservation was supposed to cover the entire panhandle of Texas. However, this caused problems. The U.S. government did not actually own that land at the time. Texas had joined the United States in 1849. But Texas did not recognize any Native American land claims within its borders. This meant the government could not legally set aside that land for the Native Americans.
What Was the Medicine Lodge Treaty?
Two years later, in October 1867, another important meeting took place. This was the Medicine Lodge Treaty Conference. Ten Bears and other Yamparika leaders, along with some other Comanches, agreed to a smaller reservation. This new reservation was in the western part of what is now Oklahoma. The Kwahada division of the Comanche could not attend because of sickness.
At this conference, Ten Bears gave a very powerful speech. He spoke about his joy at seeing the people gathered for peace. He said his people had never attacked white people first. He talked about how soldiers had fired on his people while they were hunting buffalo. He also spoke about the pain caused by soldiers and Utes attacking their camps.
Ten Bears also expressed his dislike for the idea of living on a reservation. He said: "I was born on the prairie where the wind blew free and there was nothing to break the light of the sun. I was born where there were no inclosures and where everything drew a free breath. I want to die there and not within walls." He remembered that the "Great Father" (the U.S. President) had told him all Comanche land was theirs. He did not want his people to give up their way of life, hunting buffalo, for houses and sheep.
He also spoke about how the Texans had taken the best lands. He wished for peace and for no more bloodshed on his land.
How Did Ten Bears Die?
A year after the Medicine Lodge Treaty, in December 1868, Ten Bears' group was along the Washita River. They were near their Cheyenne allies, within the Cheyenne's reservation. Troops led by Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer attacked a Cheyenne village. Yamparika warriors from a nearby village joined the fight. They helped push back Custer's men.
In 1872, Ten Bears visited Washington, D.C., again. He was part of a group that included his grandson, Cheevers, and other Comanche and Kiowa leaders. They hoped that the promises made to them would finally be kept. However, these hopes did not come true.
Ten Bears died soon after returning from this trip. He passed away on November 23, 1872, at Fort Sill, where he is buried.
Images for kids
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Chief Ten Bears
