Sitting Bull, one of the greatest American icons... War chief, medicine man and leader of the Hunkpapa Lakota (Sioux). He stood firmly against the U.S. government’s expansion onto Native lands, refusing to sign the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty and opposing settlement on Lakota lands, particularly during the Black Hills gold rush. He fought to protect his people’s way of life, carried an unbelievable amount of grit, conviction, and dignity in the face of overwhelming pressure.

What moves me most is the moment of his final surrender, when he handed his rifle to his son and had him deliver it to the U.S. government. It wasn’t weakness, it was this most bold yet quiet strength of a man who had fought fiercely for his people and understood the weight of the moment. He is unmatched in courage, humility, and unbreakable spirit. A man worth admiration. His spirit continues to speak a resilience and leadership that feels timeless in American history. The perfect person to set the tone of my GOLD RUSH series...

I chose to paint him with an 1800's rifle laying across his lap as a way to honor his desire to "to be remembered that I was the last man of my tribe to surrender my rifle"...

I choose to remember Sitting Bull this way, and not to mention, a little reminder to never trust the government lol

- Madeline Kiel