Stán-au-pat, Bloody Hand, Chief of the Tribe

George Catlin described Bloody Hand, chief of the Arikara tribe, as having “his face painted with red vermilion, scalping-knife in his hand,” and “wearing a beautiful dress.” Catlin was fortunate to meet Bloody Hand and his daughter when they were visiting the smaller of two Mandan towns. Since 1823, when traders from the American Fur Company allied with the Sioux to attack and destroy their village, the Arikara had harbored “hostile and deadly” feelings toward all whites. Catlin painted Stán-au-pat at an Arikara village in 1832. (Catlin, 1848 Catalogue, Catlin’s Indian Gallery, SAAM online exhibition)