Luther Standing Bear (1868–1939), who originally bore the name Ota K’te, meaning “Plenty Kill,” was born in South Dakota. He was one of the first pupils to enter Carlisle in 1879. While there he learned the tinner’s trade. He left Carlisle in 1885 and lived at or near the Rosebud and Pine Ridge reservations, working as clerk, teacher, rancher, and lay minister. He joined Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show in 1902. In 1905 he was chosen chief of the Oglala Sioux. He became an Indian actor with the Thomas Ince Studio in Hollywood in 1912 and appeared in several silent films and grade-B Westerns.
He launched his literary career in the late 1920s, publishing four books in six years: My People the Sioux (1928), My Indian Boyhood (1931), Land of the Spotted Eagle (1933), and Stories of the Sioux (1934). His earlier writings, including the two letters he published in the School News reprinted here, reflect his embrace of the assimilationist teachings of Carlisle. His later works, especially his 1931 essay “The Tragedy of the Sioux,” take a far more critical view of government boarding schools such as Carlisle, which he considered to be “a curse and a blight” for Indians. (Hale, “Acceptance,” 25–41; Littlefield and Parins, Biobibliography: Supplement, 288; Peyer, American Indian Nonfiction, 399–400; blight quote from Standing Bear, Land of the Spotted Eagle, 268)
Luther Standing Bear gives us something about his visit to Baltimore.9
I have something to say about Baltimore. I went there February 3rd. Great many people in Baltimore, because it is a big city. Now I will tell you what I did and saw. It is very beautiful in Baltimore, so I like to speak and play in the church.
I think those people like Indians because when our speaking was all done, I shake hands with white men and women and boys and girls. Some men said, “O, you can play. How long in Carlisle? How old are you? What is your name? Can you work?” And some boys and girls said, “I want to be your friend. Can you speak English?” I said no. “O, you can I guess.” But I speak to them nothing. Now I am sorry for just the same as my home.
I like what we had to eat and sleep and play in piano. When I am very glad I saw the Mayor of Baltimore. He is the head man in Baltimore. Then I think he likes Indians that is the reason I was very happy to shake hand with him and I was very glad I saw him. He is very kind and nice and big house and very beautiful stone house. I like to saw it always I remember the beautiful large house he let us all see. And when I am going in the cars it was about 100 miles. Now then I will try talk to you about Indian boys and girls. You must let us try hard everything. You must not play in the school. You must not talk bad at the teachers. Always you can be good boys and girls. Now always let us try to speak English and work and write and be good and be right and let us do right everything that is best way and Capt. Pratt what he says. We must hear and do it and me too. Now I will try to do all he says.10
Indian Training School, Carlisle,
March 31st, 1882.
Dear Father Standing Bear11:—
Day before yesterday one of the Sioux boys died.12 His name is Alvan. He was a good boy always. So we were very glad for him. Because he is better now than he was on Earth. I think you may be don’t know what I mean. I mean he has gone in heaven. Because he was a good boy everywhere. I hope you will understand exactly what I mean, and you should think that way. I want you must give up Indian way. I know you have give it up a little. But I want you to do more than that and I told you so before this. But I will say it again you must believe God, obey him and pray to Him. He will help you in the right path and He will give you what you want if you ask Him. Dear father I know it is very hard for you to do that out there. But you can try to think that way. You must try day after day until you can do it. Then you will be always happy. Now I shall say a few words about what we have done here. We are trying to speak only English nothing talk Sioux.13 But English. I have tried. But I could not do it at first. But I tried hard every day. So now I have found out how to speak only English. I have been speaking only English about 14 weeks now I have not said any Indian words at all. So I wish you will try to do like that after while you will go forward in which is no sorrow and no trouble. You could not do nothing if you don’t believe me what I told you in this letter. So I wish dear father you must turn round and try to walk in the right way. Now dear father I would like to know if you have that store. Do you keep it yet or not? I will help you when I go back home. That is all I have to say.
Good-bye from your son.14