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Why did the destruction of bison herds force many Oceti Sakowin people onto reservations?

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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.

The destruction of bison herds was a primary factor in forcing the Oceti Sakowin onto reservations because their entire way of life and economy were fundamentally dependent on these animals.12

For the nomadic Lakota and Nakota, the bison provided essential resources for survival, including food, clothing, and materials for tepees. As settlers encroached upon the Great Plains, the bison population faced rapid decline and eventual near-extinction. This loss of their primary food source created widespread famine among the people.321

While the Oceti Sakowin successfully resisted U.S. military incursions in various battles, they could not sustain their independence without their traditional livelihood. Ultimately, the resulting starvation and lack of resources left them with no choice but to surrender and move onto reservations to survive.12