The leader of the Cheyenne who were massacred at Sand Creek was Chief Black Kettle. He was a prominent peace advocate among the Cheyenne and a member of the Council of 44 Chiefs. Black Kettle sought peace with the U.S. government and military, participating in councils and signing treaties such as the Fort Wise Treaty of 1861. Despite his efforts, his camp was attacked on November 29, 1864, by Colonel John Chivington's Colorado militia, resulting in the massacre of many Cheyenne and Arapaho people, including peace chiefs like Black Kettle himself and others such as White Antelope
. Black Kettle had brought his people to a camp near Sand Creek, under a white flag of truce, hoping for protection and peace. The attack was unprovoked, and many of those killed were women, children, and elderly. The massacre severely disrupted the Cheyenne leadership and peace faction, leading to further conflict in the region
. In summary, Chief Black Kettle was the key Cheyenne leader at Sand Creek who was massacred along with many of his people during the 1864 attack.
