Oyate Tawicoh'an Gallery

In the language of Oceti Sakowin, the nation some call the Sioux, Oyate Tawicoh'an means The Ways of the People. This exhibit focuses on the importance of kinship obligations, which determine an individual’s place in the tribe and the universe, and the values of courage, wisdom, generosity, and fortitude as prescriptions for daily living.

Oceti Sakowin The Seven Council Fires Known as the Sioux nation to some, we call ourselves Oceti Sakowin(the seven places of fire). Long ago at a sacred lake, Wi (Sun), who appears as fire on earth, revealed this organization for our people. And so our council fires show the sacredness of our gatherings. Oceti Sakowin speak three similar languages - Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota. Dakota-speaking (Santee-who use knives) · Mdewakantonwan (community of the sacred lake) · Waqpekute (who hunt in the woods) · Wahpeton or Waqpe-tonwan (dwellers among the leaves) · Sisseton or Sisitonwan (lake village)Nakota-speaking · Yankton or Ihanktunwan(who camp at the end) · Yanktonais or Ihanktunwanna (who camp at the lesser end) Lakota-speaking · Teton or Titunwan (who live on the prairie) TOP OF PAGE	Oyate Tawicoha'n The Ways of the People Our way of life - to live and move with Tatanka - is not random. We follow our legacy and carry on the Oceti Sakowin way. A council of leaders who know well the ways of the earth and our policies with other native nations - decides our movements, according to the seasons. Our relatives from the spirit world direct us to the places of ritual. This life is not easy, but it gives us what we need for our bodies, minds, and hearts - without our taking too much from the land. With this we have been happier than with other ways of living. TOP OF PAGE
Titunwan People Who Live on the Prairie The Great Spirit S'kan made us with bones from Stone, bodies from Earth, and souls from himself, Wind, and Thunder. The gifts of Sun, Wisdom, Moon, and Revealer gave us life. A council of the spirits named us Pte Oyate - Buffalo Nation - and told us to care for the spirits. One day Spider sent Wolf to the Underworld to tell Tokahe that life would be better on the surface of the earth. Tokahe ignored the warnings of the holy man, Tatanka and led the people up through Wind Cave. Life there was hard, so Tatanka came to help, as a great, shaggy beast. Since then the people have lived here with the buffalo. TOP OF PAGE	Toni Kic'un He Gives His Life Tatanka has provided for our bodies and spirits. Our hunters ate his fresh liver. We boiled and roasted and dried his flesh. We used his gall for flavor. His hide gave clothing, tipis, and shrouding for the o'inikage (prayer lodge). His horns gave spoons, ornaments, and containers. His bones became saddles, tools, and weapons. His hooves provided glue and decoration. His bladder carried our water. His droppings became our incense and fuel. Tatanka gave his life for us, and we did not waste his gift. TOP OF PAGE
Otakuye Kinship Kinship, the key to our wico'un (way of life), is not just an idea. It is a direction for daily life. Courage, fortitude, wisdom, and generosity are our cardinal virtues. These and all our values and motives, all our judgments of right and wrong, relate to the duties and benefits of kinship. Each of us must act to insure the good of the ti'ospaye (a family of 200 to 300 people). The worst insult is to say, "You live as though you have no relatives." TOP OF PAGE	Wo'ohitika Courage Beyond kinship, we value Wo'ohitika, a strong heart, most. We expect much of ourselves, for the protection of Oceti Sakowin. We accept our duty in making decisions, standing strong in the face of fear. We endure battle, care for our families, and fulfill our spiritual duties. We teach Wo'ohitika through stories and games, and through our daily example. Young men show courage in vision quests and now young women in wiya paha-going to the hill to pray. TOP OF PAGE
Wowacintanka Fortitude Our life is not easy. To endure we need a strong, patient character, wowacintanka -the ability to do what one should do. From childhood, we learn to adapt to any condition. The women are modest in their ways. The elders teach patience and tolerance. Other kin are the models. We challenge the younger child to feats in games, the older one to times of fasting. In all our tasks, we do what is called for, in body and in spirit. TOP OF PAGE	Woksape Wisdom We learn from watching our elders that woksape, or wisdom, develops with age, sometimes as a special gift. To use well what one has learned comes from experience - especially in matters of the spirit. We follow our leaders because their advice is sage, their strength is of the spirit. We prepare for wisdom, as they have, by learning the stories and rituals of our people and through our service. TOP OF PAGE
Wacantognaka Generosity We are known for what we give, not what we keep, as our bodies are our only real belongings. Giving to those in need without hope of return - nurtures a caring and generous spirit. So we use the ritual giveaway to celebrate spiritual, social, and other events such as a young man's first hunt. This virtue inspires artistic gifts. But gifts of time, support, comfort, and healing are valued beyond the material. All this is wacantognaka - to be able to give without a pounding heart. TOP OF PAGE	Tiwahe Household Ksa (Wisdom) created the first lodge. Its floor was a circle. He placed fire from Wi (Sun) at the center. The door faced east, giving honor to the first direction. All lodges follow this plan. Our custom holds the south for women of the tiwahe. Men use the north. The husband takes the area to the west, next to the wife, who owns the tipi. Each stores belongings by the wall near their sleeping place. The well-bred guest sits right of the door until invited farther. All movement in the tipi is sunwise (clockwise). To the left of the door is the wood and water. Some tiwahe goods may be hung from the tipi poles. Good order is vital. TOP OF PAGE