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| Sioux (pronounced SUE) are a Native American and First Nations people. The term can refer to any ethnic group within the Great Sioux Nation or any of the nation's many dialects. The Sioux comprise three major divisions based on dialect and subculture:
• Isanti ("Knife," originating from the name of a lake in present-day Minnesota): residing in the extreme east of the Dakotas, Minnesota, and northern Iowa, and are often referred to as: Santee Sioux division (Dakota) Mdewakantonwan ("Dwellers of Spirit Lake") notable persons: Taoyateduta Sisitonwan (Sisseton, "Dwellers of the Fish Grounds") Wahpekute ("Leaf Shooters") notable persons: Inkpaduta Wahpetonwan ("Dwellers among the Leaves") • Ihanktowan-Ihanktowana ("Village-at-the-end" and "little village-at-the-end"): residing in the Minnesota River area, they are considered to be the middle Sioux, and are often referred to as: Yankton-Yanktonai division (Nakota) Ihanktonwan (Yankton, "End Village") Ihanktonwana (Yanktonai, "Little End Village") notable persons: Wanata Stone sub-division (Nakoda) Assiniboine Stoney • Teton or Tetonwan (uncertain, perhaps "Dwellers on the Prairie"): the westernmost Sioux, known for their hunting and warrior culture, and are often referred to as: Titonwan/Teton division (Lakota) ("Dwellers on the Prairie") Oglala ("Those who Scatter their own") notable persons: Crazy Horse, Red Cloud, Black Elk and Billy Mills (Olympian) Hunkpapa (meaning "Those who Camp by the Door" or "Wanderers") notable persons: Sitting Bull Sihasapa (Blackfoot Sioux - not to be confused with the Algonquian-speaking Blackfeet) Minniconjou ("Those who Plant by the Stream") notable persons: Lone Horn, Touch the Clouds Sicangu (French: Brulé) ("Burnt Thighs") Itazipacola (French: Sans Arcs "Without Bows") Oohenonpa ("Two Kettles" or "Two Boilings") The historical Sioux referred to the Great Sioux Nation as the Oceti Sakowin meaning "Seven Council Fires". Each fire was symbolic of an oyate (people or nation). The seven nations that comprise the Sioux are: Mdewakanton, Wahpetowan (Wahpeton), Wahpekute, Sissetowan (Sisseton), the Ihantowan (Yankton), Ihanktowana (Yanktonai), and the Teton (Lakota). The Seven Council Fires would assemble each summer to hold council, renew kinships, decide tribal matters, and participate in the Sun Dance. The seven divisions would select four leaders known as Wicasa Yatapicka from among the leaders of each division. Being one of the four leaders was considered the highest honor for a leader; however, the annual gathering meant the majority of tribal administration was cared for by the usual leaders of each division. The last meeting of the Seven Council Fires was in 1850. Today the Teton, Isanti, or Ihantowan/Ihanktowana are usually known, respectively, as the Lakota, Eastern Dakota, or Western Dakota. In any of the three main dialects, "Lakota, Dakota" all translate to mean "friend," or more properly, "ally." Usage of Lakota, Dakota may then refer to the alliance that once bound the Great Sioux Nation together. The Lakota were one of the last tribal groups to move onto the plains, but they quickly adapted to their new lifestyle. They were a large and powerful tribe of about 12,000 people, who were very influential in both Plains Indian culture and politics. The historical political organization was based on the participation of individuals and the cooperation of many to sustain the tribe’s way of life. Leaders were chosen based upon noble birth and demonstrations of bravery, fortitude, generosity, and wisdom. Political leaders were members of the Naca Ominicia society and decided matters of tribal hunts, camp movements, whether to make war or peace with their neighbors, or any other community action. Societies were similar to fraternities; men joined to raise their position in the tribe. Societies were composed of smaller clans and varied in number among the seven divisions. There were two types of societies: Akicita, for the younger men, and Naca, for elders and former leaders. Akicita ("Warrior") societies existed to train warriors, hunters, and to police the community. There were many smaller Akicita societies, including the Kit-Fox, Strong Heart, Elk, and so on. Leaders in the Naca societies, per Naca Ominicia, were the tribal elders and leaders, who would elect seven to ten men, depending on the division, each referred to as Wicasa Itancan ("chief man"). Each Wicasa Itancan interpreted and enforced the decisions of the Naca. The Wicasa Itancan would elect two to four Shirt Wearers who were the voice of the society. They settled quarrels among families and also foreign nations. Shirt Wearers were often young men from families with hereditary claims of leadership. However, men with obscure parents who displayed outstanding leaderships skills and had earned the respect of the community might also be elected. Crazy Horse is an example of a common-born "Shirt Wearer". A Wakincuza ("Pipe Holder") ranked below the "Shirt Wearers". The Pipe Holders regulated peace ceremonies, selected camp locations, and supervised the Akicita societies during buffalo hunts. |
| The Sioux |
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