Remembering Pizi, Chief Gall, Chief's Day, 2016
On the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chief Day, I wanted to remember Hunkpapa ChIef Gall, Pizi. I heard my Grandmother Martina Sherwood speak of him often. She said he was a big man with enormous hands and a tremendous smile. She said Lala was very gentle, with visible bullet wounds from the Greasy Grass. Although he had a thunderous voice, when needed, he was very kind, quiet and loving, especially with children. Once he realized the fighting was over, he stepped back with humility and dignity.
It is from the People of Chief Gall that Bobbi Tree Legs comes from, the young Takoja who had the vision of the Missouri River, covered with oil that led to the Water Protectors rising at Standing Rock. When asked by Buffalo Bill to join his Wild West Show, Gall said, "I am not an animal to be exhibited before the crowd,” and retired to his teepee. Some of the best stories about Chief Gall are recounted by Dr, Charles Eastman, a Santee Dakota physician educated at Boston University.
