Crazy Horse (Lakota: T‘aÅ¡unka Witko, pronounced t'khashúnka witkó), (c. 1840 – September 5, 1877) was a respected member of the Oglala Sioux Native American tribe. Noted for his courage in battle, he was recognized among his own people as a great leader committed to preserving the traditions and values of the Lakota way of life and for leading his people into a war against the takeover of their lands by the Federal government of the United States.