Native American : Sioux Fast War Dance

Lakota-Oglala-Sioux The Lakota were originally part of the seven council fires (Otchenti Chakowin - also said: Oceti Sakowin), made up of 7 bands: 4 Dakota, 2 Nakota (3 later counting the Assiniboin), and one Teton or Lakota band. The Dakota were the predominant people in this arrangement. First recorded contact with the Dakota was by Jesuits in 1640 and 1658, in the area of present-day Green Bay, Wisconsin, and in the forests in southern Minnesota. These people had lived in this area for many generations. The nearby Chippewa called the Oceti Sakowin - "Nadowe-is-iw" - meaning little or treacherous snakes. It was natural for tribes to have less-than-complimentary terms for their enemies. The French later corrupted the term to "Nadowessioux", which the English, still later, shortened to "Sioux". The Sioux, who call themselves Dakota or Lakota, are the largest tribe in the United States with 25,000 members. At one time, the Sioux owned nearly all of both Dakotas and about one-half of Minnesota. They now live on reservations within their ancient territory. Their language was reduced to writing in the 1840's and has now a considerable literature. Nearly all the men of the tribe are able to conduct personal correspondence in their own language. They have a special fondness for parade, and eagle-feather war-bonnets are numerous in this delegation. The habits of buffalo were especially important to the Lakota's lifeway. The migratory movement of the buffalo from spring to winter was mirrored by the Lakota on earth, and by spirit beings in the heavens. This reciprocal connection greatly influenced their seasonal camp life. The knowledge and awareness of the movements of the sun and stars, the passing of new moons or months, led the Lakota through their cycles, culminating with their primary annual event, the Sun Dance, when the populations of the buffalo herds had reached their peak.