MNI

Mní is a Lakota word meaning water. In Lakota orthography the word is often written mní, with an acute accent on í to indicate the vowel length. Water is a central element in Lakota spirituality and daily life, associated with nourishment, life, and renewal.

One well-known modern usage is the phrase Mní Wiconi, translated as Water Is Life, which became a widely cited slogan during the Standing Rock protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline in 2016–2017. The phrase reflects the importance of water protection and Indigenous rights in contemporary activism.

The term also appears in place names and in the names of organizations and campaigns that emphasize water stewardship and environmental protection. As a Lakota word, mní is part of the broader linguistic and cultural heritage of the Sioux and Great Plains communities.