redman23.jpg

Big Chief

Big Chief was a noted warrior of the Ponca, one of the five tribes of the Dhegiha group, of the Siouan family. The Ponca, who spoke the same language as the Omaha, migrated farther west with them from their original lands on the Missouri River. After reaching the Bix Sioux River, they built a fort. Here the Dakota tribe made war on the Ponca and their allies, defeating them and compelling them to flee southwest until they reached South Dakota. There, according to Ponca and Omaha tradition, the sacred pipes were given and peace established. The Ponca built earth lodges or permanent villages, deserting them if game became scarce, and building again in a more promising region.