That failure is the real tragedy of Black Kettle’s story — not his death, though the death was tragic, but the failure of the system that killed him to deliver what it had promised.

He wanted peace.

He pursued it with everything he had.

He deserved better from the government he was trying to deal with in good faith.

So did his wife.

So did the people who died at Sand Creek and the Washita.

So did the children and grandchildren who inherited the consequences.

The story of Black Kettle is not finished.