
Lakota Crazy Horse
When faced with extinction, man only has two options: become a slave, or become a warrior.
His Horse is Crazy
Tašúŋke Witkó, literally translated from Lakota as “His Horse is Crazy”, was a respected war leader of the Oglala Lakota. More commonly referred to as Crazy Horse, he fought against the U.S. federal government to preserve the land and traditions of the Lakota way of life, participating in the Battle of the Little Bighorn in June 1876. After surrendering to U.S. troops under General Crook in 1877, the prominent leader was fatally wounded while resisting imprisonment at Camp Robinson in present-day Nebraska.
Crazy Horse’s choice to defy the U.S. Federal government in order to protect his people and culture is an inspiration to any and all champions of freedom. In the view of author Chris Hedges, “There are few resistance figures in American history as noble as Crazy Horse… …his ferocity of spirit remains a guiding light for all who seek lives of defiance.”

Much controversy surrounds both the life and death of Crazy Horse. Most notably, many Indians and historians question whether any actual photograph of Crazy Horse was ever captured. Crazy Horse was a spiritual man, who did not want a photograph stealing his soul.
For the Crazy Horse silver medallion, Lakota Mint selected famed American Indian artist Kenneth Ferguson, who created the likeness from historical data and personal recounts of his appearance. The result is a bold image of a strong, proud warrior who fought the tyrannical rule of his white oppressors.
