Lakota Sioux

History

The Lakota Sioux, has one of the shorter history's in Nebraska. Originally from the Minnesota. In the 1500's when settlers came, the Lakota Sioux were already starting to roam the plains. However, it wasn’t until the 1700's that the Lakota Sioux were pushed into a more permanent settlement in Nebraska. The Lakota Sioux soon dominated the other tribes in the area with their superior strength and training. Soon after this move in the 1800's Nebraska became known as Lakota Land to those in the west. The Lakota Sioux tribe is part of a bigger group named, the Sioux Nation. There are three groups that belong to this "nation", the Lakota, Dakota, and the Nakota. The Lakota Sioux are known for their superior fighting skills and warship. They are especially known for their conflicts with the crow, and the Pawnee tribe. They went into the plains fighting with other tribes in the area, which ended up hurting them in their war with the white settlers to come. They very much had and still have today a hunting and warrior culture. From their training to their family live or what jobs they have all depend on that mans ability to fight another. The gender roles in this time were very prevalent in all of the United States, the fierce Lakota Sioux expected all men to be warriors and the women to take care of things at home. In the culture at the time the more honor, and war experience one had the better off he would be. Even today the Lakota Sioux are known as one of the most prominent "Tetons", or prairie dwellers, in the Midwest.

Famous Leaders and Events

The one of the most famous leaders of the Lakota Sioux was Red Cloud. Red Cloud is considered to be the best Native American leader of his time and was possibly one of the only Native Americans who posed a threat to the American Army. Red Cloud was involved in a number of revolts and revolutions, but he was also a great leader during peace times. He successfully saved his people by helping them adjust and accept life on the reservations. Without his help there would have almost certainly been more conflict. Red Cloud was born a chief’s son but he was raised by an uncle, another chief, after his parents died. Under the supervision of his Uncle, Red Cloud became a battle weary warrior fighting against the neighboring Crow and Pawnee tribes. Red Cloud showed his worth in battle at a young age so that when the United States made plans to cut the Indians land down and push them back further into the west, Red Cloud was a natural solution. In 1866 the conflict known as Red Cloud's War was under way. A group of U.S. troops were sent to find a group of Indians who had attacked a small unit the day earlier. What this group didn't know was that they were being led into a trap by the famous warrior Crazy Horse. In this battle alone a group of 2,000 allied Indians from Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes killed 81 United States soldiers. From there on the conflict grew throughout the plains until the Indians suffered great losses, and were forced to sign a peace treaty. Red Cloud's leadership did not stop there. He helped organize his people into order for the reservations and helped to start the reservation system we have today.

Religious Customs

The Lakota Sioux have a very strong and rich heritage and belief system. They are a deeply spiritual tribe. They believe in one very mysterious god they call Wakan Takan. Directly translated this means "great mystery" . They strongly believe that they connect to their god and their spirituality through Dancing and music. They celebrate the hunt, or the war through traditional dances and chants. Also, much like early Christians, they feel closest to god when they are participating in some sort of self mutilation. they Whip or cut themselves as a living sacrifice to their faith. They also use this self-inflicted pain as a way to judge or measure how much of a warrior or a man you are. Their faith is based on creating strength and devotion to the tribe. Also leaders in the faith and community were chosen based on birth, status reputation, and bravery, the men gained glory for their family name by killing in the name of Wakan Takan. They pleased their god through death and so that’s what their lifestyle became about.

Fun Fact of the Day

The Lakota Sioux helped influence the American Sign Language. We take some of their hand signals they used when hunting or in war, or adapted them to help create our own system!