Spotted Elk

Spotted Elk
Heȟáka Glešká
Spotted Elk lying dead, after the Wounded Knee Massacre, December 1890
Miniconjou, Lakota Sioux leader
Preceded by	Lone Horn (Heh-won-ge-chat or Ha-wón-je-tah  – aka One Horn)
Personal details
Born	1826 (approx)
Died	29 December 1890(1890-12-29) (aged 64 approx) Wounded Knee Creek, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation (Lakota:Chankwe Opi Wakpala, Wazí Aháŋhaŋ Oyáŋke), South Dakota, USA
Cause of death	Slayed by the United States Army, while suffering pneumonia
Resting place	Wounded Knee Monument, Wounded Knee Creek
Parents	Lone Horn (father)
Religion	Ghost Dance (convert and )
Nickname(s)	Big Foot (Si Tȟaŋka)

Spotted Elk (Lakota: Uŋpȟáŋ Glešká, sometimes spelled OH-PONG-GE-LE-SKAH or Hupah Glešká: 1826 approx – 29 December 1890( 1890-12-29)), was the name of a chief of the Miniconjou, Lakota Sioux. He was a son of Miniconjou chief Lone Horn and became a chief upon his father's death. He was a highly renowned chief with skills in war and negotiations. A United States Army soldier, at Fort Bennett, coined the derogatory nickname Big Foot (Si Tȟáŋka) – not to be confused with Oglala Big Foot (also known as Ste Si Tȟáŋka and Chetan keah). In 1890, he was killed by the US Army at Wounded Knee Creek, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation (Chankwe Opi Wakpala, Wazí Aháŋhaŋ Oyáŋke), South Dakota, USA with at least 150 members of his tribe, in what became known as the Wounded Knee Massacre.

Spotted Elk (Lakota: Uŋpȟáŋ Glešká) was born about 1826, the son of Lakota Sioux chief Lone Horn (Heh-won-ge-chat). His family belonged to the Miniconjou ("Planters by the River") subgroup of the Teton Lakota (Sioux). He had three brothers: Roman Nose, Frog and Touch the Clouds (Maȟpíya Ičáȟtagya), each of whom were to become leaders of Miniconjou bands. In 1877, Spotted Elk became the chief of his tribe upon his father's death at the age of 87.

As chief, Spotted Elk (who later became known by the name of 'Big Foot' or Sitȟáŋka), was considered a great man of peace. He was best known among his people for his political and diplomatic successes. He was skilled at settling mass quarrels and was often in great demand among other Teton bands.

During the 1870s, Spotted Elk allied his tribe against the US Army, together with half-brother Sitting Bull (Lakota: Tȟatȟáŋka Íyotake), nephew Crazy Horse (Tȟašúŋke Witkó) and brother Touch the Clouds (Maȟpíya Ičáȟtagya). Spotted Elk saw no major action during the Great Sioux War of 1876-77. However, his tribe – the Miniconjou, Lakota Sioux – suffered during the war, after which they surrendered.