Lakote

Lakote, also known as Lakota, is one of the three major divisions of the Oceti Sakowin (Seven Council Fires) people, an Indigenous nation of the Great Plains. The other two divisions are the Dakota and the Nakota. The Lakota language is a Siouan language, and is closely related to the Dakota and Nakota languages, though they are distinct dialects. Historically, the Lakota people inhabited a vast territory in the present-day Upper Midwest of the United States, primarily in the Great Plains region. Their traditional way of life was deeply intertwined with the buffalo, which provided sustenance, shelter, and materials for their tools and clothing.

The Lakota were traditionally nomadic or semi-nomadic, following the movements of the buffalo herds. They lived in tipis, portable cone-shaped dwellings made of animal skins stretched over poles, which were well-suited to their mobile lifestyle. Their society was organized into bands and tiyospaye (extended family groups). Spiritual beliefs were central to Lakota life, with a complex cosmology and a rich tradition of ceremonies and rituals. The Black Hills, known to the Lakota as Paha Sapa, hold profound spiritual significance and are considered sacred.

The arrival of European settlers and the subsequent westward expansion led to significant disruption of Lakota life. Conflicts over land and resources, such as the Red Cloud's War and the Battle of the Little Bighorn, marked this period. Today, the Lakota people are organized into several reservations in South Dakota and North Dakota, including the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. They continue to strive to preserve their culture, language, and traditions while navigating the challenges of contemporary life.