John Grass

John Grass, Matȟó Watȟákpe or Charging Bear (c. 1836–May 10, 1918) was a chief of the Sihasapa (Blackfeet) band of Lakota people during the 1870s through 1890s. He fought at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in Montana. In the summer of 1873, he led his men of the Sihasapa and Oglala/Brule against the Pawnee in Nebraska near the Republican River, killing between 75 and 100 Pawnee men with mostly women and children, although the estimates of dead ranged at 156. The incident was named The Battle of Massacre Canyon.

Background Grass was known as Charging Bear in his youth. He was born near Grand River in South Dakota in 1836. Both his father, Used as a Shield, and grandfather, Sicola (Bare Foot), were important Sihasapa leaders. others give a larger number but many died at a young age. One son was named Own's Spotted, and one daughter was named Theresa Grass-Cross.

Military and diplomatic career In the 1850s and 1860s, Grass participated in battles against tribal enemies. He was a member of the White Horse Riders Society.

During the time of the Ghost Dance movement and the Wounded Knee Massacre, Grass advocated peace with the United States, which did not earn him the respect of many Hunkpapa leaders. Chief White Bull described Grass as: "A good talker... not a thinker or a smart man... could always say yes but never no."