The Lakota: People Of The Plains
People Of The Northern Plains
The Lakota tribe are people of the North American plains who currently live in the Dakotas in the United States, as well as Saskatchewan and Alberta in Canada.
However, the Lakota were once a powerful tribe whose traditional lands encompassed a much larger area where they travelled and hunted. Let's look at the incredible history and culture of the Lakota people.
Getting The Name Right
Through the centuries, the Lakota have often been called Sioux. In fact, the name Sioux and Lakota have been used interchangeably. The word "Sioux" apparently comes from the language of the Lakotas' traditional enemies, the Ojibwe, and means “snake” or “enemy”. On the other hand, “Lakota” means “friend” or “ally” in the Lakota tongue, and this is what the Lakota people prefer to call themselves.
The Lakota Language
The Lakota language is one of three major languages in the Sioux language family. Lakota speakers can understand and communicate with speakers of the Dakota language as well.
Lakota is one of the most well-preserved of the Native American languages, with over 2,000 speakers. Lakota communities have active language immersion programs to keep their language in common use.
The Bands Of The Lakota
The Lakota people are sub-divided into seven bands: the Brule, Oglala, Sans Arc, Hunkpapa, Miniconjou, Blackfoot, and Two Kettles. These bands formed on the basis of kinship, dialects, and geographic area.
They live today in communities throughout North and South Dakota as part of the federally recognized Sioux Nation.
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Lakota People You May Have Heard Of
The Lakota have always been one of the biggest and most dynamic tribes of the American West. Many of their leaders and warriors gained fame during battles with the US cavalry in the 1800s. These include Sitting Bull, Red Cloud, Spotted Tail,and Crazy Horse. More recently, activists such as Russell Means and William Hawk Birdshead have become prominent voices for the Lakota to improve conditions in their territories.
