Dull Knife

Born on the Rosebud River in Montana, Dull Knife was a Northern Cheyenne originally known as Wahiev which means Morning Star. He obtained the nickname of Dull Knife after a battle with a Sioux warrior. The Sioux had a tough buffalo hide shield and Wahiev's knife could not pierce the shield. From that point forward the Sioux called him Tamela Pashme - Dull Knife.

Dull Knife is noted for the 1,500 mile journey from their forced placement with their Southern Cheyenne cousins in Oklahoma to familiar ancestral land in Montana. Leaving without government consent, the militia felt they would easily capture the fleeing band.

In Nebraska, the fleeing Northern Cheyenne divided into two groups. Some continued on to Montana, while Dull Knife and his contingent headed to the Red Cloud Agency. At Fort Robinson Dull Knife camped and waited. When one Cheyenne bolted, the trouble began. Mistreated and told they would have to return to the south, the band decided to die in the north rather than the south.

Of the 149 who remained with Dull Knife, 67 were killed in quest for the northern homeland. Dull Knife reach the Pine Ridge Agency and was given refuge by the Sioux. Having eaten moccasins and sinew to survive, public sentiment swayed the military decision of a reservation in Montana for the Northern Cheyenne.

Dull Knife is buried in a cemetery next to the Northern Cheyenne Crafts Center in Lame Deer, Montana. Little Wolf is buried next to Dull Knife.

I have constructed a crude map which will help you locate Dull Knife's grave. Click on the Lame Deer link below.

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