He did not spend the rest of his life trying to prove he was still a warrior.

He did not chase violence or build a mythology around killing.

He became a custodian of memory.

He helped educate people who would never fight his battles.

He supported institutions that strengthened Native knowledge.

He used his authority to communicate rather than intimidate.

He spoke about the Little Bighorn in terms of consequences rather than simple victory.

He spoke about enemies as human beings.

He became known for linking worlds that American history often presented as incompatible.

This is why the phrase “war chief who became a peace chief” feels appropriate even when used informally.