The Long Red Cloud

Chief Red Cloud, also known as Mahpiya Luta, was a revered leader of the Oglala Lakota Sioux tribe. Born in 1822 in what is now North Platte River Valley in Wyoming, Red Cloud’s early life was marked by hardship, and conflict. He grew up in a time of great tension between the Lakota and the United States government, as settlers encroached on Lakota land and resources.

Despite the challenges that he faced, Red Cloud quickly distinguished himself as a natural leader and skilled warrior. He participated in several battles against the U.S. military, including the Fetterman Massacre in 1866, where he led a coalition of Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors in a surprise attack on a U.S. Army unit. Red Cloud’s tactical prowess and bravery in battle earned him the respect of his people and the nickname “Red Cloud of the Morning.”

As Red Cloud grew older, he began to focus more on diplomacy and negotiation as a means of protecting his people. He played a key role in the negotiations that led to the Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1868, which granted the Lakota control of the Black Hills and other lands in what is now South Dakota, Wyoming, and Nebraska. Although the treaty was ultimately broken by the U.S. Government, Red Cloud remained a powerful symbol of Lakota resistance and sovereignty. Today, Chief Red Cloud is remembered as a heroic figure in Lakota history, a leader who fought tirelessly to protect his people and their way of life.

Inspired by his enduring legacy, Anka Kus crafted a fragrance as an homage that captures the spirit of Red Cloud’s strength, courage, and resilience, as well as the Lakota people. This is a tribute to the beauty and wisdom of Native American traditions, and a way to honour the deep connection between indigenous peoples and the natural world.

Tobacco is at the forefront in this composition. It was an important crop for many Native American communities. Five different varieties of rich tobacco absolutes were used to create this fragrance.

The Long Red Cloud opens with top notes of sweet, slightly fruity tobacco leaves, reminiscent of the plant’s fresh greenery. The heart features rich and smoky, woody notes of cured tobacco leaves, evoking the warmth of a campfire. Its heart beats on with warm, woody notes of cedar which has long been used in Native American ceremonies and as an important building material. Sage evokes the natural beauty of the American Southwest.

The warmth of the base is accentuated with hints of aged whiskey and bourbon. Smoky and earthy notes of oud and patchouli ground the base, intertwined with spicy accents. Leather and vetiver provide the regality to the composition, resulting in a complex and alluring array of base notes, encapsulating the nobility of Chief Red Cloud.