"Brave Leader" thinking about that phrase took me to 'Leader of Braves' which started me thinking about American Indian Chiefs - many were admirable leaders known for courage and bravery. I chose an image from the Smithsonian archives (also in public domain) to work with. Red Cloud was born in 1822 near North Platte, Nebraska. Chief of the Oglala Sioux, Red Cloud was known for his feats of courage, and he attracted followers from other tribes in addition to his own. He led the fight against the U.S. government's plan to open the Bozeman Trail which cut right through a vital Sioux hunting ground just east of the Bighorn Mountains in South Dakota. For two years, Red Cloud mounted attacks against the project. He and his followers were successful, and the government abandoned the trail after signing the Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1868.