Collection: Charles A. Eastman

Following the Santee Dakota (or Sioux) tradition of taking a new name after a major life event, Ohiyesa became known as Charles Alexander Eastman when he was fifteen and became more involved in European-American society. He graduated from Dartmouth College and Boston Medical School and treated survivors of the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890. 

In 1901, he published Indian Boyhood, a collection of stories from his experiences growing up among the Santee in Minnesota, USA and Manitoba, Canada. He went on to publish twelve more books on Native American legends, autobiographical works, and political treatises. These included: Red Hunters and the Animal People (1904), Wigwam Evenings: Sioux Folk Tales Retold (1909), The Soul of the Indian: An Interpretation (1911), and Indian Heroes and Great Chieftains (1918). 

He gave lectures on Native and European-American cultural cooperation and was involved in helping youth groups. He designed and helped set up youth camps and was a founding member of the Boy Scouts of America. He died in 1835.