We are judged by how we treat the children

This sign at the school lunch room reminds me of the story about Sitting Bull, the Hunkpapa Lakota leader who led his people during years of resistance to US Army efforts to exterminate the native population.

He was killed by Indian agency police on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation during an attempt to arrest him, at a time when authorities feared that he would join the Ghost Dance movement that some believed would revive the Lakota nation.

Sitting Bull around 1883

Prior to his death Sitting Bull was a performer with Buffalo Bill's Wild West show that toured east coast cities in the US.  He earned about $50 a week for riding once around the arena, where he was a popular attraction. Sitting Bull stayed with the show for four months before returning home.

While in New York City one day Sitting Bull was walking down the street and many homeless children came up to him begging for money.  He sat on a door stoop and handed them coins and spoke with them.

When Sitting Bull returned to the South Dakota reservation he spoke to those gathered around a council fire.  He told them, "We are in big trouble.  You should see how the white man treats his children."

Bruce