The Sioux Nation
Originally from the eastern woodlands, the Sioux Nation was actually comprised of a loose confederation of seven bands of common ancestry known as the Oceti Sakowin meaning the Seven Council Fires, represented in the Wolakota Site Plan and Elevations. The word Sioux was a name given by the Chippewa meaning enemy or little snakes. The Sioux manifested three tribal divisions based on kinship, dialect and geographic proximity.
The eastern division was originally called Isanti, meaning Knife Makers. Today, they are known as the Santees and are comprised of four Bands; Mdewakanton (Spirit Lake Dwellers), Wahpkute (Shooter Among Leaves), Wahpekute (Dwellers Among the Leaves), and Sisseton (Fish Scales in the Village). They speak the distinctive Dakota dialect, and have been known as powerful healers and spiritual advocates.
The middle division consisted of the Yanktons and Yanktonais (Village at the End) who speak a distinctive Nakota dialect and are the acknowledged Keepers of the Sacred Pipestone located in western Minnesota.
The western division is the Tetons (Dwellers on the Plains). They are the largest Band and speak the Lakota dialect. The Tetons moved westward to the plains and west of the Missouri, spreading out and settling in the sacred lands of He Sapa, the Black Hills.
The Tetons are made up of seven bands: Oglala ("dust scatterers"), Sicangu (or Brulé, "burnt thighs", Hunkpapa ("end of the circle"), Minneconjous ("planters beside the stream"), Sihasapa (or Blackfeet, different from the Blackfeet Tribe), Itazipo (or Sans Arc, "without bows") and Oohenumpa ("two kettles").
The eleven tribes of the Sioux Nation:
click on each flag below for a larger view.
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Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe |
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Crow Creek Sioux Tribe |
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Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe |
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Lower Brule Sioux Tribe |
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Oglala Sioux Tribe |
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Rosebud Sioux Tribe |
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Santee Sioux Tribe |
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Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Sioux Tribe |
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Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe |
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Standing Rock Sioux Tribe |
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Yankton Sioux Tribe |