This was a really interesting read - much worthwhile.
Biggest takeaway - this tribe, and no doubt others, was a sophisticated player when it came to trade, politics, war, strategy. This author wouldn't agree with the "victim" portrayal, even though eventually the wars (and territories) were lost.
Lakota/Sioux - complicated sifting through the tribes in the early periods (16th and 17th centuries, approximately) - think of Lakota as westernmost of this group? Sioux too far west to access guns and French trade goods in quantity - at risk from better-armed tribes to the east. Sioux seek access, try to work diplomacy with French and Indian allies, it doesn't hold long-term.
Idea - early in book - that the "horse frontier" moved west to east starting or accelerating following the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 - interesting, I hadn't thought about "where" the horses came from.
"Gun frontier" was moving east to west - having both was transformational.
Lakota use expands ~1700ff - a big change as they shift attention westward - another impetus was losing French support (and trading posts) which made selling beaver difficult or impossible. Bison herds, horses, westward ho.
1757 - first reference to Lakota using guns while riding horses. Groups further east lacked horses. Groups further west lacked guns.
More on horses; buffalo chase and switch to the plains to the west.
Lots of fighting among tribes as Lakota push into their territories. Lakota have numbers, etc.
1820-30s - Lakota strong; continue to invite traders even up to Ft. Laramie - very much wanting the trade goods, esp. guns - apparently not concerned that settlers might follow in their wake. Interesting; Lakota must have known what happened in multiple territories in east and midwest.
Civil War is a distraction, but westward push by Americans continues, accelerates.
Eventually the US Army focuses - we get to Sitting Bull, Red Cloud, Crazy Horse, Custer, denouement.
