There are many different cultures living amongst us in the United States. Some being immigrants that have just stepped foot on American soil. There are others such as the Lakota and Dakota Indians who are a part of the Great Sioux Nation, whose land is Standing Rock Indian Reservation in the Dakotas. They have lived on this land longer than our ancestors and also know the land better than they did, or we do. This culture has been overlooked and taken advantage of for centuries. Their land has been taken away, and every treaty that has been made with them has been broken. Yet, they still have a stronger sense of self, their past, and of community than I have ever seen elsewhere. Some would say that a reason that their sense of community is so strong is because of the hardship and struggles they have been put through.
The Great Sioux Nation is located in both North and South Dakota.
English: Collage of Lakota people from various pub...
English: John Grass, Chief of the Sioux Nation
Category:Pow WowsAlexis powwow during the grand en...It also holds the name of the Lakota Nation, Dakota Nation, or the Nakota Nation. The people of the Sioux Nation refer to themselves as Lakota/Dakota/Nakota which means friend or ally. The United States government took the word Sioux from Nadowesoiux, which comes from a Chippewa word which means little snake or enemy. The French traders and trappers who worked with the Chippewa people shortened the word to Sioux.
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe encompasses the bands of Hunkpapa from the Lakota Nation, and Hunkpatinas of the Dakota Nation. The Lakota Nation or Great Sioux Nation include Oglala, Brule, Minnecoujou, Hunpapa, Black Feet, Without Bows and Two Kettle. The Lakota Nation is a alliance called "Oceti Sakowin" or "Seven Council Fires." This confederation spoke three dialects. The Lakota's speak an "L" dialect and the Yanktonias (Hunkpatinas) and...