Omaha Principle Chief. He was known as Ong-pa-ton-ga, or Big Elk, and as a youth, he earned a reputation as a warrior against the Pawnee people. Among the Omaha, he was known for his courage in battle and for his fairness in making decisions. When Chief Washinggusaba (Black Bird) died in 1800, Big Elk was chosen as the new principle chief. With the arrival of white settlers in the land that the Omaha considered as theirs, he made two visits to Washington in 1821 and 1837, to negotiate treaties for his people. He became known as an accomplished orator and a brilliant negotiator. He continued to lead his people until a fever killed him in 1846. He was buried in Bellevue, Nebraska, at a site called Elk Hill, but known to the Omaha people as Ong-pa-ton-ga Xiathon, meaning "the Place Where Big Elk Is Buried."
Omaha Principle Chief. He was known as Ong-pa-ton-ga, or Big Elk, and as a youth, he earned a reputation as a warrior against the Pawnee people. Among the Omaha, he was known for his courage in battle and for his fairness in making decisions. When Chief Washinggusaba (Black Bird) died in 1800, Big Elk was chosen as the new principle chief. With the arrival of white settlers in the land that the Omaha considered as theirs, he made two visits to Washington in 1821 and 1837, to negotiate treaties for his people. He became known as an accomplished orator and a brilliant negotiator. He continued to lead his people until a fever killed him in 1846. He was buried in Bellevue, Nebraska, at a site called Elk Hill, but known to the Omaha people as Ong-pa-ton-ga Xiathon, meaning "the Place Where Big Elk Is Buried."
Bio by: Tom Todd
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