SHA-KPA (Little Six). Three-quart-length seated albumen outdoor view. St. Paul, Minnesota: Whitney & Zimmerman, 1864. Photographers' imprint & identification printed to mount recto. Period ink “No. 174” to mount verso. 

CDV seated view of Mdewakanton Dakota Chief, known as “Little Six” or Sha-kpe (alt. Shakopee III, Ṡaḳpedaƞ, 1811-1865). Wrapped in a striped wool blanket, Little Six is dressed in hide leggings and a white collared shirt. A cloth headband is wound around his head. 

When Little Six, or Chief Sha-kpe, was approached by four men from his band who had just committed the infamous “Acton Incident” killings, it was determined by the elders what course of action would be taken; war was upon them. This decision, based on a growing unease with the expansion of Anglo-American upon native land, would ignite the beginning of the U.S.-Dakota wars of 1862. The results were devastating, with Congress calling for displacement and mass executions at the resolution of the conflict. Targeted as a leader, Little Six evaded execution by escaping to Canada, where he would live until captured in 1864. After being brought to Fort Snelling, Minnesota, Little Six would be tried, convicted, and confirmed in sentencing by President Andrew Johnson for his participation in the war. On 11 November 1865, Little Six and his friend Medicine Bottle received their convictions and were hanged.

This somber view, taken at Fort Snelling, shows Chief Little Six in his final year of life, either awaiting his sentencing or his conviction. Sadly, the resting place of his remains would be unknown, with quite a few stories suggesting that it was obtained for medical dissection and study. 

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