Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show Employed Real Native Americans

The biggest draw to Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show was often the real life Native Americans performing in it – many of whom came from the Pine Ridge reservation, and were paid quite well.

[JohnSmith-iljn]

It was said that the great Sitting Bull upon visiting the urban centers of the Eastern United States often gave his money-earned to beggars and homeless children of the city. This speaks volumes of the man and his humanity.

[kenrawley]

My grandfather met his train when the show came to Philadelphia. A carriage and two horses were brought off a boxcar. Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill climbed into the carriage. Gramps jumped onto the running board. As they drove down Market Street, Buffalo Bill leaned over and said to Gramps: "Get off, kid".

[-KillaWatt-]

Some interesting facts about Buffalo Bill.

Buffalo Bill's family were extremely anti-slavery. So much so Bill's father was stabbed for a speech he gave at an Iowa trading post.

Buffalo Bill and his show would have likely fell into obscurity had it not been for writer Ned Bluntline who wrote an autobiography on Bill and his adventures. Despite the great material he had available to him he embellished Buffalo Bill's story and it was his stories about the famous showman that made Buffalo Bill a legend.

It was true that Bill paid his performers well. There are many stories of people who had the simple goal of working for him because they knew he didn't discrimate and not only paid his performers but would protect them as well.

Not only did Bill employ native Americans but he also employed many peoples from around the world. People from the far east, the middle East and way down south of the border.

[jolyettefrye]

I'm glad 2 C someone treating Native American people with dignity and respect in the old west. 👋 And actually paying them 4 their services is the icing on the cake. 💲💰💲

[brockstebbing]

Domesticated? What an ignorant statement

[Siapopaihs]

History is written by the victors. Don’t forget. This doesn’t mean that it is the real story.
I grew up on a reservation in Oregon & I don’t remember hearing the stories told like this when I heard the other side.

[brainflash]

Authenticity is a selling point? WHO COULD'VE PREDICTED THAT!?!

[WriterandPhotographer]

My great grandfather was a part of the show

[menopassini]

This video is all wrong. After a Indian/ Calvary battle near Wounded Knee S.D. a few dozen Native Americans were sent to Ft.Sheridan Il not as prisoners, but as residents. They lived in teepees and were a local curiosity. They dressed in war paint for photographers. The army base was a Calvary unit and put on many Calvary displays, horse shows and even Polo matchs. The A. Base was a tourist attraction. Cody was friends with George Everhart a wealthly business man and local Highland Park politician. They hunted together and were guestss at each others homes. Wild Bill Cody saw the Native Americans at Ft. Sheridan and decided this would add more excitement to his shows. Cody hired about 2 dozen for his shows. The Native Americans advocates were very upset that they were being taken advantage of and raised objections. The N.A were like celebrity guests around Chicagolland for awhile. There were about still a dozen N.A. at Ft. Sheridan. I believe 2 still lived there into the 1930's. The Principle for a H.P. school use to visit and check up on them.

[JakofAllTrades]

Do you know where to find info on specific Buffalo Bill performers?

[declanburke]

The show came to the UK and some stayed and left their mark. Street names in Manchester and a ranking Indian buried in Brompton cemetery. He was returned to his roots by the not of the internet

[prajjwalgarag]

Sly use of the word "engaging" when all US army was doing was invading

[darthvadersith]

0:43 Gee, I had NO idea they had plastic water bottles in the 19th century.🙄 Second row, middle of the screen. It's right in his lap. Come on, Smithsonian.🤦🏼‍♂️

[johnmontoya]

What do you mean about domesticating Native Americans david penny, they were not animals they were Humans with ingenious knowledge about the Earth... there, are any questions noted?

[b_uppy]

Saw where someone used Asians in a (show/commercial?) and were misrepresented as Natives.

[kevwhufc]

Watching Smithsonian* channel on UK TV, buffalo bill Annie Oakley and other characters, real early American tv footage of the time,
So interesting, & so much better than the *history channel and its reality TV rubbish .
My favourite US tv station :)

[viewerofyoutubevideos]

It would be like if while the war in Afghanistan was happening their were shows with Marines and Taliban gun fighting and launching missiles touring America

[JesusKathrynMiller]

Jesus and KathrynMiller say Thankyou for sharing ✝️🤍✝️🤍✝️🍀🍀🍀🦅🇺🇸

[benjaminstuart]

Does the @Smithsonian know who Curtis Alexander was? Cody's double... You showed a picture of him thinking it was Cody....

[LimitlessFitnessandAthletics]

Who would have thought that the earliest formula for co existing in america can be seen in showbiz. If only there are a lot of people like buffalo bill. Them native americans would have had a better deal.