Settlers initially thought Indigenous Nations had no government.
Sioux government was based on the (meaning ‘camp circle’).
The (meaning ‘Seven Council Fires’) represented the seven tribes of the Great Sioux Nation.
Tribes divided into three groups: Lakota (or Teton), West Dakota (Yankton/Yanktonai), and East Dakota (Santee).
Each tribe had its own thiyospaye and was led by Chiefs elected by elders.
Chiefs, sometimes in separate roles for war and peace, held but no true power.
Councils of elders made decisions, requiring agreement from all men in the band or tribe.
Individuals were free not to follow a Chief’s orders.
(warrior societies like the Kit-Fox and Strong-Heart) advised elders, trained warriors, policed the community, and protected buffalo during hunts.
were respected figures who settled disputes and negotiated with other Nations.
led ceremonies, organized camp moves, and managed hunting – the only event where ‘everybody had to obey’.
No written laws or prisons existed; survival in harsh conditions required cooperation.
Sioux duty was to pray; social breaches were punished by , with banishment as the ultimate punishment.
Warfare
Warring was often over , which measured a warrior's status and wealth.
Warriors were judged by the number of horses they owned, and tribes often raided each other for horses, seeking revenge and to display bravery.
Although there were brutal conflicts, fighting to the death was generally avoided to preserve valuable lives for hunting and family.
Warriors freely chose to join battles led by Chiefs, with most fights involving short and quick raids.
was considered the bravest act, involving a warrior touching an enemy with a coup stick, showing courage and skill without needing to kill.
Warriors used and bows and arrows in both hunting and fighting.
Sioux believed in the Happy Hunting Ground after death, not a Heaven or Hell.
Warriors tried to prevent enemies from being whole in the Happy Hunting Ground, so they would or cut tendons in defeated foes to limit their abilities after death.
Government
Settlers initially thought Indigenous Nations had no government.
Sioux government was based on the thiyospaye (meaning ‘camp circle’).
The Oceti Sakowin (meaning ‘Seven Council Fires’) represented the seven tribes of the Great Sioux Nation.
Tribes divided into three groups: Lakota (or Teton), West Dakota (Yankton/Yanktonai), and East Dakota (Santee).
Each tribe had its own thiyospaye and was led by Chiefs elected by elders.
Chiefs, sometimes in separate roles for war and peace, held respect but no true power.
Councils of elders made decisions, requiring agreement from all men in the band or tribe.
Individuals were free not to follow a Chief’s orders.
Akicita (warrior societies like the Kit-Fox and Strong-Heart) advised elders, trained warriors, policed the community, and protected buffalo during hunts.
Shirt Wearers were respected figures who settled disputes and negotiated with other Nations.
Pipe Holders led ceremonies, organized camp moves, and managed hunting – the only event where ‘everybody had to obey’.
No written laws or prisons existed; survival in harsh conditions required cooperation.
Sioux duty was to pray; social breaches were punished by shaming, with banishment as the ultimate punishment.
Warfare
Warring was often over horses, which measured a warrior's status and wealth.
Warriors were judged by the number of horses they owned, and tribes often raided each other for horses, seeking revenge and to display bravery.
Although there were brutal conflicts, fighting to the death was generally avoided to preserve valuable lives for hunting and family.
Warriors freely chose to join battles led by Chiefs, with most fights involving short AMBUSHES and quick raids.
Counting Coup was considered the bravest act, involving a warrior touching an enemy with a coup stick, showing courage and skill without needing to kill.
Warriors used tomahawks and bows and arrows in both hunting and fighting.
Sioux believed in the Happy Hunting Ground after death, not a Heaven or Hell.
Warriors tried to prevent enemies from being whole in the Happy Hunting Ground, so they would scalp or cut tendons in defeated foes to limit their abilities after death.
