Big Mouth

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Big Mouth (Eh-Ton-Kah/Dayton Slater) (d. October 29, 1869) was an Oglala-born chieftain of the Brule Sioux, highly regarded by the Brule for his bravery and, although aggressive, military leadership. A signature of the Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1868 [1], Big Mouth remained a bitter opponent against further American settlement, ridiculing Spotted Tail and other Sioux chieftains upon returning from a delegation to Washington, DC.

One of the principal chiefs at Whetstone Agency located along the Missouri River, where most of the Brute and Oglala bands had gathered, Big Mouth's stance soon gained considerable support among the tribe. Big Mouth soon began to criticize Spotted Tail's reversal of Sioux policy, having been entertained by American politicians and given a personal tour through the major cities of the east coast. Facing increasing opposition to his leadership, Spotted Tail visited the lodge of Big Mouth and, after approaching the entrance, Big Mouth was seized by two warriors and held down as Spotted Tail shot and killed him.