Charles Eastman

Charles Alexander Eastman (February 19, 1858 - January 8, 1939) was a Native American writer, physician, and reformer. He was of Santee Sioux and Anglo-American ancestry. Active in politics and issues on American Indian rights, he also helped found the Boy Scouts of America. He was named Ohiyesa at his birth on a reservation near Redwood Falls, Minnesota. In Dakota, Ohíye S’a means 'Wins often'.. He was the son of Wak-anhdi Ota (Many Lightnings) ... more

Charles Alexander Eastman (February 19, 1858 - January 8, 1939) was a Native American writer, physician, and reformer. He was of Santee Sioux and Anglo-American ancestry. Active in politics and issues on American Indian rights, he also helped found the Boy Scouts of America. He was named Ohiyesa at his birth on a reservation near Redwood Falls, Minnesota. In Dakota, Ohíye S’a means 'Wins often'.. He was the son of Wak-anhdi Ota (Many Lightnings) and his mixed-blood wife, Wakantankanwin (Goddess), a.k.a. Mary Nancy Eastman. Mary, also known as Winona (first-born daughter), was the daughter of the American painter Seth Eastman (he was stationed as a captain in the army at Fort Snelling when she was born) and Wakháŋ Inážiŋ Wiŋ (Stands Sacred). Stands Sacred was the daughter of Cloud Man, a Dakota (Santee Sioux) chief. Ohiyesa was first called Hakéda (the "pitiful last") because his mother died at his birth. He was the youngest of five children, with three older brothers (John, David, and... less