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This attractive newsreel item shows members of the Oglala Sioux tribe on a
pilgrimage to visit the grave of Chief Long Wolf (mistakenly called 'Lone Wolf'
in the opening title), who had been a member of the touring company of William
'Buffalo Bill' Cody's circus. Long Wolf died of pneumonia in London in 1892
while the circus was performing at Earl's Court, and was buried in Brompton
Cemetery in West London.
The film begins with the fantastic sight of three US Cavalrymen followed by
at least ten Sioux, all on horseback, entering Brompton Cemetery. A man is seen
taking their photograph as they ride in. The Sioux are then seen performing a
ritual at the grave of Long Wolf. They are watched with curiosity by a group of
English men, whose bowler hats and bow ties contrast greatly with the Native
Americans' headdresses. Like many Topical Budget items - even with war looming -
the story's status as 'news' may be debatable, but its appeal to a newsreel
hungry for striking images isn't hard to see.
Long Wolf's body was repatriated by the Oglala Sioux in 1997, along with an
infant body from the same grave - the remains of a 17-month-old Native American
girl named Star Ghost Dog, who died after falling off a horse during a circus
performance.
Lucy Smee
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Complete film (0:54)
