455. Fall of the Sioux: The Ghost Dance (Part 2)

This podcast episode explores the tragic history of Native Americans, focusing on the significance of the book "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" and the social engineering efforts implemented on Native American reservations. It delves into the motivations and controversies surrounding these efforts, as well as the impact on tribal identity. The episode also highlights the character of Gaul, one of Sitting Bull's old lieutenants, and his encounter with Elizabeth Custer. It delves into the devastating consequences of European intrusion and industrialization on indigenous communities and the emergence of the Ghost Dance movement as a response to the challenges faced by the Lakota. The uncertain nature of the Ghost Dance and its spiritual origins, as well as the dramatization of the Indian wars and the aftermath of sending troops to suppress the Ghost Dance movement, are also explored.