The Indian name of Joseph LaFlesche, also known as Iron Eye, was E-sta-mah-za. LaFlesche, the son of a Frenchman and a woman of the Ponca tribe, was the adopted son of Chief Big Elk, the First, of the Omahas. He was selected by Big Elk to be his successor as chief. LaFlesche's policy, favoring civilization and education for the Omaha tribe, was met with disapproval by the Omahas. He brought about the elimination of intemperance among tribal members during his rule. Even though he was trusted and respected, the time he was chief of the Omahas was filled with strife.
Visualizing that white people would soon populate the Plains region, LaFlesche advocated the tribe's peaceful cohabitation of the Plains by their becoming farmers and by their seeking education for their children. Though he had no formal education, and could not speak English, nor read or write, LaFlesche wanted his people to have the rights citizenship would bring, and also to own land individually by patent.
LaFlesche was the last be to made chief under the old Omaha rituals. As mediator between the Omaha tribe and the government, he tried to ease the Omaha's way into the new society in which they found themselves.
LaFlesche was married twice, first to Mary,the daughter of Dr. John Gale and Nicomi, a woman of the Iowa tribe. His second wife was Tainne of the Omaha tribe. He was the father of several children, among them Susette (Bright Eyes) Tibbles, nationally known social activist, Dr. Susan Picotte, first native American woman physician in the United States, and Francis LaFlesche, who was an author in Washington, D.C.