Description

The pipe bowl is a T-shaped type, the bowl itself and prow have broken off, leaving only the shank. Associated label states "Given by Sitting Bull - / Chief of Sioux Indians / to Major Crozier NWMP / W[illegible] ___ River Mountain / N.W.T. 1881 / Indian Pipe". Partial sticker on pipe states "... of Sitting...N. West...".

The donors are the great, great niece and nephew of Major Lief Crozier, who commanded the Northwest Mounted Policemen stationed at Fort Walsh, Saskatchewan. He oversaw the latter part of Sitting Bull’s stay in Canada and his return to the United States in 1881. Three of the objects appear to be related to the famous Hunkpapa Lakota chief - two pairs of moccasins and a pipe. The provenience of these objects provided by the donors is corroborated by the following note on the entry form for objects lent by Mrs. Crozier of Belleville to the Canadian Historical Exhibition held in 1899 at Victoria University (University of Toronto): "Indian Pipe- Sitting Bull’s; Moccasins- made by Sitting Bull’s daughter; Picture of Sitting Bull; Blackfoot Whip."