Sitting Bull’s Great-Grandson Identified Through DNA From 130-Year-Old Hair

Researchers have finally put to rest a century-old mystery surrounding one of America’s most iconic Native American leaders. Using an innovative DNA analysis technique, scientists have confirmed that Ernie LaPointe, a 73-year-old South Dakota man, is the great-grandson of the legendary Lakota chief Sitting Bull.¹

This validates LaPointe’s long-standing claims and opens up a new frontier in genetic genealogy, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of historical lineages. 

Here is how a single lock of 130-year-old hair has bridged the gap between past and present and what this means for the future of historical research and Native American heritage.

The Science Behind the Discovery

Scientists led by Eske Willerslev, a professor of ecology and evolution at the University of Cambridge, developed a novel method to analyze autosomal DNA from degraded genetic material. 

This breakthrough allowed them to extract usable DNA from a 130-year-old lock of Sitting Bull’s hair stored at the Smithsonian Institution.

The research team spent 14 years perfecting this technique, focusing on non-sex-specific genes inherited from both parents. 

Their persistence paid off, resulting in the first published example of confirming a familial relationship between a contemporary individual and a historical figure using such limited amounts of ancient DNA across distant relatives.

Sitting Bull’s Legacy & Historical Significance

Born in 1831, Sitting Bull was a revered chief and medicine man of the Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux.

His leadership and strategic prowess played a crucial role in uniting Sioux tribes against the encroachment of U.S. government policies and settlers on tribal lands. 

Sitting Bull’s most famous victory came in June 1876 at the Battle of the Little Bighorn (ref), where he led a coalition of Native American tribes to a decisive triumph over Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment.

Despite his military successes, Sitting Bull surrendered in 1881 due to dwindling resources and manpower. Tragically, his life came to a violent end in 1890 when Indian Affairs agents attempted to arrest him at the Standing Rock Reservation in South Dakota. 

The confirmation of his living descendants adds a poignant chapter to this already compelling historical narrative.

Implications for Native American Heritage & Rights

Verifying Ernie LaPointe’s lineage carries significant implications for cultural preservation and legal matters. As a confirmed direct descendant of Sitting Bull, LaPointe now possesses the legal right to potentially:

• Re-enter Sitting Bull’s remains
• Determine the final resting place of the chief’s body
• Address the controversy surrounding two separate burial sites in North and South Dakota

This development highlights the intersection of modern science and indigenous rights, potentially setting a precedent for future cases involving Native American ancestral claims and repatriation efforts.

The Future of Ancient DNA Analysis

The successful identification of Sitting Bull’s great-grandson through this innovative DNA analysis technique opens up exciting possibilities for future historical and genealogical research. Some potential applications include:

• Verifying familial connections between modern individuals and other historical figures
• Resolving longstanding mysteries surrounding ancestral lineages
• Enhancing our understanding of population movements and genetic diversity throughout history

As this technology continues to evolve, it may revolutionize the fields of archaeology, anthropology, and genealogy, offering unprecedented insights into human history and familial connections across time.

Source:

1. University of Cambridge
2. science.org