Project revives Sitting Bull songs long absent from historic collections

The Densmore/Lakota Songs Repatriation Project has added 18 audio recordings of songs attributed to Sitting Bull to the Lakota Songs website, aiming to restore his musical legacy, according to InForum. The effort emerged after ethnomusicologist Frances Densmore omitted Sitting Bull’s contributions, reportedly influenced by Standing Rock Indian agent Maj. James McLaughlin.

Courtney Yellow Fat, lead singer of Lakota Thunder and project co-producer, said Densmore was influenced to “steer clear of anything to do with Sitting Bull, his songs or ideas.” The site now includes lyrics, translations and performances by Yellow Fat, who also serves as the Standing Rock Tribal Historic Preservation Officer and descends from figures close to Sitting Bull.