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Why did Sitting Bull and his followers travel to Canada after the Plains Wars?

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A Cheyenne River Sioux dancer in colorful traditional regalia performs during the Grand Entry at a powwow, with an American flag and other participants in the background. — Oceti Sakowin A member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe performing during the Grand Entry at the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Fair Rodeo and Powwow, Eagle Butte, South Dakota, September 4, 2016.

Following the Plains Wars, Sitting Bull and his followers traveled to Canada in May 1877 to escape the United States military and the encroaching settlers who were destroying their way of life.1

The Oceti Sakowin were heavily dependent on the buffalo for their livelihood, but as these herds were rapidly becoming extinct due to the expansion of settlers, the people faced severe famine. Although the Oceti Sakowin had won several battles against U.S. troops, they could not sustain the war effort under these conditions of hunger and military pressure. Sitting Bull led his remaining followers across the border to seek refuge, but they were eventually forced to return and surrender in 1881 because the Canadian government would not accept responsibility for feeding a population whose reservation was located south of the border.12