John Other Day

John Other Day ( – October 30, 1869), also known as Anpetutokeca, was a Dakota leader from Minnesota, a signatory of the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux, and an Indian Scout for the United States Army. Other Day was also a mediator who sought peace between the Dakota and European-American settlers during the Dakota War of 1862 where he fought for the U.S. Government at the Battle of Wood Lake and was a critical figure behind the Surrender at Camp Release.

Early life

Born as Anpetutokeca (English: Good Sounding Voice) in 1819 near Swan Lake, Other Day was originally a formidable Dakota warrior as a young man but later anglicized his name to "John Other Day" (also spelled Otherday) and adopted western forms of life and converted to Christianity. Other Day was the leader of a migratory Wahpeton band of Dakota living between McLeod County, Minnesota and Nicollet County. Other Day was later a witness and signatory of the historic Treaty of Traverse des Sioux in 1851 and later the Treaty with the Sioux in 1858.

During Other Day's trip to Washington, D.C. as part of the 1858 Dakota delegation he engaged in drunkenness and married a saloon owner named Roxana.

Role in the Dakota War

At the outbreak of the Dakota War of 1862, Other Day was a staunch opposer of Thaóyate Dúta and rebelling against the United States Government. Other Day's home and crops were later destroyed by the Dakota for being a "cut-hair" or "breeches Indian", a Dakota who westernized themselves. Other Day is best known for guiding 62 European-Americans 150 miles through Native American territory to the safety of Camp Release, a friendly Dakota camp created by Gabriel Renville, Chief Red Iron, Wabasha III, and others which harbored refugees escaping the conflict. Other Day later served as a Indian Scout for the forces commanded by General Henry H. Sibley at the Battle of Wood Lake.

Later life The United States Congress recognized Other Day for his services by paying him $2,500 for his efforts. , and one in Henderson, Minnesota, the "Faithful Indians' Monument". Various portraits and works of art of Other Day were taken by Joel Emmons Whitney, Martin Mason Hazeltine, and Henry H. Cross, among others and are held at both the Minnesota Historical Society and the Library of Congress.