Early settlers mistakenly thought the Indigenous Nations had no religion, but the Sioux were deeply . Sioux hunters would pause to worship when encountering a beautiful scene.
Sioux believed in a Great Spirit called , where "wakan" represented the life-giving Power of the universe.
The Sioux viewed life as shared with all living things, including plants, animals, and supernatural beings called (spirits needing appeasement to avoid misfortune or death).
Spirituality was integral to Sioux life; they performed small ceremonies and prayers to honour spirits.
Upon reaching adulthood, a young Sioux male underwent a ceremony involving fasting, self-harm, and vision quests to meet a , which was interpreted by the (tribal holy man).
Visions remained important in adulthood; before Little Bighorn, Sitting Bull’s vision of men in blue uniforms falling gave warriors confidence in their victory.
The Wicasa wakan was central, as Sioux believed spirits controlled the harsh Plains weather; he also healed illnesses and communed with spirits.
Sioux danced to draw closer to spirits, often combining dance with meditation, fasting, or enduring pain. Dances took place before battles, raids, and buffalo hunts.
The was a widely known spiritual healing dance focused on community welfare. The Buffalo Dance was for attracting buffalo; the Cheyenne performed an Animal Dance for hunting luck; and the Caddo did the Turkey Dance, celebrating warriors’ safe return.
Values
Indigenous people, described as “true lovers of ,” connected deeply with Nature, seeing themselves as a part of it. Chief Luther Standing Bear said, “Man’s heart away from Nature becomes hard.”
Sioux viewed land as their ‘mother,’ put here by the Great Spirit. It was holy, eternal, and home to spirits and ancestors.
Land was considered communal, belonging to all creatures; it could not be bought or , owned, or fenced, as buffalo required open land for migration.
Circles were sacred to the Plains Indians. Camps, tipis, and buffalo migrations followed circular patterns, symbolizing life as a .
Sioux men often died young from dangerous hunts, so marriage was simple; at 17, a youth paid a of horses for a bride, typically aged 12-15. Good hunters often practiced to manage the buffalo they killed.
Sioux society valued being “good kin” as a mark of humanity and civilization. Akicita (warrior societies) prioritized feeding the aged and weak from their hunts.
Elders, when no longer useful, would often practice , staying behind as the tribe moved on to die peacefully.
Religion
Early settlers mistakenly thought the Indigenous Nations had no religion, but the Sioux were deeply religious. Sioux hunters would pause to worship when encountering a beautiful scene.
Sioux believed in a Great Spirit called Wakantanka, where "wakan" represented the life-giving Power of the universe.
The Sioux viewed life as shared with all living things, including plants, animals, and supernatural beings called Wakampi (spirits needing appeasement to avoid misfortune or death).
Spirituality was integral to Sioux life; they performed small ceremonies and prayers to honour spirits.
Upon reaching adulthood, a young Sioux male underwent a ceremony involving fasting, self-harm, and vision quests to meet a SPIRIT FRIEND, which was interpreted by the Wicasa wakan (tribal holy man).
Visions remained important in adulthood; before Little Bighorn, Sitting Bull’s vision of men in blue uniforms falling gave warriors confidence in their victory.
The Wicasa wakan was central, as Sioux believed spirits controlled the harsh Plains weather; he also healed illnesses and communed with spirits.
Sioux danced to draw closer to spirits, often combining dance with meditation, fasting, or enduring pain. Dances took place before battles, raids, and buffalo hunts.
The Sun Dance was a widely known spiritual healing dance focused on community welfare. The Buffalo Dance was for attracting buffalo; the Cheyenne performed an Animal Dance for hunting luck; and the Caddo did the Turkey Dance, celebrating warriors’ safe return.
Values
Indigenous people, described as “true lovers of Nature,” connected deeply with Nature, seeing themselves as a part of it. Chief Luther Standing Bear said, “Man’s heart away from Nature becomes hard.”
Sioux viewed land as their ‘mother,’ put here by the Great Spirit. It was holy, eternal, and home to spirits and ancestors.
Land was considered communal, belonging to all creatures; it could not be bought or sold, owned, or fenced, as buffalo required open land for migration.
Circles were sacred to the Plains Indians. Camps, tipis, and buffalo migrations followed circular patterns, symbolizing life as a circle.
Sioux men often died young from dangerous hunts, so marriage was simple; at 17, a youth paid a dowry of horses for a bride, typically aged 12-15. Good hunters often practiced polygamy to manage the buffalo they killed.
Sioux society valued being “good kin” as a mark of humanity and civilization. Akicita (warrior societies) prioritized feeding the aged and weak from their hunts.
Elders, when no longer useful, would often practice exposure, staying behind as the tribe moved on to die peacefully.
