"Iron Bear, also called Bear Chief (kuunNx ta shanu) was born when the Arikaras were living along the Grand River (South Dakota) in the late 1700s. His place of birth was the Awahu village on the west side of the river. When he grew to manhood, he was chosen to become the Head Arikara War Chief, because he was a fearless leader and a strategist in warfare, against the Dakotas, the traditional enemy of the Three Tribes."
Iron Bear became the Awahu chief in 1851. Born before the visit of Lewis and Clark to the Grand River Villages, he learned tactics of warfare from his father and uncle and was chosen for theses skills. In 1866 he was given authority in Article 6 of the Fort Laramie treaty to choose a chief to work with him, He chose White Shield who in turn appointed Son-of-a-Star as head of the police. Both White Shield and Son-of-a-Star went on to be head chiefs.
Iron Bear Story
by Rhoda Starr, Sahnish Historian
Iron Bear was chosen by his people, not the government, to be their chief. In 1851, the United States Government had called together the Northern Plains Tribes, the Arikaras, Dakotas, Cheyennes, Arrapahoes, Crows, Assinaboines, Gros-Ventres, and Mandans. The tribes that assembled were called together for the purpose of establishing and confirming peaceful relations amongst themselves, to abstain from all hostilites whatever against each other, to maintain good faith and friendship in all their mutual intercourse, and to make an effective and lasting peace. And to recognize the right of the United States Government to establish roads, military and other posts, within their respective territories. Iron Bear was one of the signers of the July 27, 1866 Agreement at Fort Berthold, signing along with the Head Chief White Shield and the Second Chief Son-of-the-Star. Iron Bear was also a member of the Bear Medicine Society.
