“Chief Solomon Iron Nation”

iron nation was born in february 1815. though details of his youth are scarce, he grew up at a time when the sioux were a powerful force on the northern plains. his life spanned an era of unprecedented transition, stretching from a period of sioux dominance to the eventual settlement of the sioux onto reservations by the u.s. government. iron nation was a chief during difficult times. as head chief, he signed significant treaties including the 1865 fort laramie treaty, 1876 black hills treaty and 1889 great sioux reservation treaty on behalf of the lower brule. iron nation lived his life seeking the survival of the lower brule sioux. his life covered 79 of the most disastrous and tumultuous years that the lower brule people, and many other native americans, have endured. iron nation was respected not because he was a warrior or a ghost dancer, but because he was a chief and a peacemaker. he never took up arms against the u.s. government, choosing peace instead. iron nation died on 14 november 1894 at iron nation district of the lower brule sioux reservation. he was buried here at messiah episcopal cemetery. inscribed on his granite monument are these words: “Children, Love One Another.” The granite monument placed over Iron Nation’s grave is the first known commemorative monument erected over the grave of a Lakota Sioux chief by a tribe in South Dakota. This gravesite represents a significant change in burial practices and memorializations that occurred as Native American and Anglo cultures coalesced during this period. Iron Nation was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2014, this gravesite was listed in the National and South Dakota State Registers of Historic Places. Contributions to preserve this site were made possible by the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission and Mary Chilton DAR Foundation. Site preservation is supported by the Lower Brule Sioux Tribal Council, Messiah Episcopal Church and South Dakota State Historical Society. Work and dedication of Philip S. Byrnes family (direct descendants of Iron Nation) helped make this historic site preservation possible. More information is available at www.ChiefIronNation.com. Dedicated July 2015.

Lyman County, Messiah Cemetery near Highway 1806