John Grass 'Pizi' (1837-1918). John Grass, warrior and gifted orator was well known during reservation days as a progressive. Able to speak English and many dialects of Sioux, he was made head chief at the Standing Rock Agency, a position created by the white agent to rival the authority of Sitting Bull and unify the Agency Sioux. In later years he was credited for the success of the Commission of 1889: a session which, by the stroke of the pen, meant the end to the great Sioux Reservation. The stage has been set for the Ghost Dance uprising. Sitting Bull was killed, Wounded Knee took the lives of over 150 Sioux, and ironically John Grass helped negotiate a settlement for the survivors. (Harbaugh, P., 1982)
Dimensions
23 X 18.5 cm
Size Overall
51 X 41 cm
Medium
Black and white photograph
Condition
Severe bowing back of left vertical edge away from mat.
View is southeast and was probably taken from the roof of McMaster Hall. Photograph shows the greenhouse situated on top of the John R. Brodie Science Centre.
