Descendant of Lakota chief slain at Wounded Knee demands accountability, transparency, and justice for ancestors and survivors

SCOTTS VALLEY, CA – Calvin Spotted Elk of Scotts Valley, California, documents his direct descendancy from Chief Spotted Elk, a revered Lakota treaty signer who died at Wounded Knee and who has erroneously been called “Big Foot” by many European historians. Spotted Elk’s grandfather was born on the Cheyenne River Reservation. His father was Oglala Lakota and his mother was Lakota born on the Rosebud reservation.

Spotted Elk and his wife Michelle say that they have been researching Wounded Knee history and advocating for descendants for over twenty years. The couple has a daughter, Lillienne, and they are rightly concerned about her Lakota legacy as well as the legacy of others in her generation and in future generations. They have traveled from Scotts Valley to South Dakota repeatedly to participate and collaborate with other Wounded Knee descendants in the HAWK 1890 descendants’ group (see www.westrivereagle.com/articles/wounded-knee-sacred-belongings-coming-to-cherry-creek/).

On November 30, 2024, Calvin Spotted Elk released the following statement in observance of Native American Heritage Month:

“As we honor Native American Heritage Month and approach another anniversary of the massacre at Wounded Knee, we, the descendants of Chief Spotted Elk, and other direct lineal descendants of victims and survivors, speak with one voice to demand justice for our ancestors and accountability for this atrocity.

“Chief Spotted Elk was a treaty signer, diplomat, and advocate for his people, traveling to Washington,

D.C., to fight for their way of life. Despite his leadership and peaceful intentions, he and his band were brutally massacred while seeking refuge, trusting in the promises of the U.S. government. Men, women, children, infants and elders—unarmed—were slaughtered, and the survivors and descendants have borne the heavy burden and the scars of this trauma inflicted upon them, for generations.

“Unlike anyone else speaking about our grandfather, this legacy is deeply personal to us as the direct blood descendants of Spotted Elk. We carry forward the stories of survivors like Alice Ghost Horse, Leon Holy, Richard Afraid of Hawk, Charles Blue Arm and many others, ensuring the truth of Wounded Knee is preserved and the sacrifices of our ancestors are never forgotten.

“Despite decades of advocacy, the injustice of Wounded Knee persists. The 20 Medals of Honor awarded to soldiers for their actions during the massacre remain a deep stain on American history. Even General Nelson A. Miles, who witnessed the aftermath, condemned the event as a ‘cold-blooded massacre,’ describing the horrific treatment of unarmed women and children. Yet, 134 years later, efforts to revoke these medals and establish Wounded Knee as a sacred memorial site continue to face roadblocks.

“In October, we were given short notice to provide documentation for a panel review board examining these medals. We submitted a comprehensive 45-page document, including a chronological timeline, detailed explanations for why each medal violates the criteria for such honors, and heartfelt statements from descendants. Despite this, no one has informed the direct descendants of any decision on them. As enrolled members, we find this lack of transparency unacceptable.

“The voices of Chief Spotted Elk’s descendants deserve to be heard. The truth of Wounded Knee and the dignity of those massacred demand action—not more delay. It is time for accountability, transparency, and justice for our ancestors.

“Most recently, during Native American Heritage Month in November 2024, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) blocked the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act in what appeared to be a political maneuver unrelated to our cause. This disregard disrespects our ancestors and undermines the generations of work that descendants and allies have dedicated to seeking recognition and justice. It diminishes the sacrifices made by those who have fought tirelessly to ensure the truth is known and that our history is honored with the respect it deserves.

“To the Lumbee Tribe: We ask, do you support Senator Tillis’s actions, or will you stand with us in condemning the exploitation of our sacred history? Your silence on this matter is troubling.

“To Oglala tribal leadership: As an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, I, Calvin Spotted Elk, ask what steps were taken—or not taken—that contributed to the failure of this critical bill? Claims have been made that leadership actions influenced its outcome. Please explain. As direct descendants, and enrolled tribal members, we deserve transparency, neutrality, and accountability.

“For decades, my family and I have worked tirelessly with other descendants to preserve the true history of Wounded Knee, correcting inaccuracies and advocating for our ancestors. Outsiders and unfortunately some within our own community have attempted to control the narrative, speaking on matters that are not theirs to address.

“Let this be clear: only the Spotted Elk Tiospaye has the right to speak for Chief Spotted Elk and his direct descendants. Anyone claiming to be my blood relative must have proof that has been thoroughly vetted. Contact me to discuss.

“As a direct lineal descendant of Upan Gleska (Spotted Elk), a shirt-wearer, I remind everyone: Wounded Knee is about the descendants— not governments, politics, or leverage.

“Long before any government existed, we stood as the Oceti Sakowin, the Seven council fires, bound by sacred responsibilities to our ancestors, to our relatives, and our land. This fight for justice is not about political gain; it is about safeguarding the truth of Wounded Knee and ensuring the memory of those massacred is not desecrated by inaction or political gamesmanship. It is about halting the continued erasure of our legacy.

“To other descendants publicly confusing our grandfather, Chief Spotted Elk, with Ste Sitanka (another Bigfoot): we are not denying your connection to your own survivors. However, we have repeatedly asked that you refrain from claiming to be blood descendants of Chief Spotted Elk, speaking on our family’s history, or denying us our voice. Despite our requests, some of you have ignored us and refused to engage in direct dialogue. If you are not a blood descendant, do not assert otherwise. If you were not at those survivors’ meetings for all of those years, as we were—with documents, is the time to bring them. Above all, do not exploit our ancestors or their legacy for personal gain. Our history deserves respect, truth, and integrity—not further erasure.

“We demand the safe preservation of our ancestors’ belongings and have consistently called for the establishment of a memorial that honors their names and conveys the full truth of what happened at Wounded Knee. Our ceremonies, our history, and our voices are sacred and must not be exploited or manipulated. No one has the right to destroy belongings they cannot speak for, and any such action will result in legal consequences. The Lakota way is to come together in a circle, to listen, and to make decisions with respect and unity— not to act in secrecy or to create division through back channels.

“President Biden has called the Wounded Knee Medals of Honor ‘abhorrent.’ We urge him to act on this conviction. Justice delayed is justice denied, and no descendant should endure another generation without seeing justice served for their ancestors.

“As we close this Native American Heritage Month, let us remember: Wounded Knee is not just history—it is a living legacy. For those of us who carry the bloodlines of Spotted Elk, it is our sacred duty to honor the truth and demand justice.

“Our ancestors deserve nothing less. Our future generations depend on it.”

Calvin J. Spotted Elk

Direct Lineal Descendant of Chief Spotted Elk and Chief Flying Horse

(Contact Grace Terry at graceterrywilliams@gmail.com)

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