Lakota Indians: who are they?

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The Lakota Indians are a Native American tribe, part of the Sioux tribe, residing in North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, and southern Canada. They lived in tipis made of buffalo hides, and their government consists of presidents for each subtribe, local representatives, and members of the tribal council. The Lakota Indians began seeking full independence from the American government in 1974, arguing that the US violated the treaties it made with them.

The Lakota Indians are a Native American tribe typically residing in the US states of North and South Dakota. Some Lakota Indians also live in Nebraska, Minnesota and southern Canada. They are considered a part of the Sioux tribe, with many identifying primarily as Sioux or “The Sioux of the West.” There are seven sub-tribes within them, including the Oglala Lakota, the Sihásapa and the Sans Arc.

The history of the Lakota has largely been passed down by word of mouth. Most scholars believe that all Sioux tribes originated in Minnesota, where they kept farms and hunted game nearby. As history progressed, the Lakota Indians were driven westward from Minnesota and into the Dakotas by their rivals, the Ojibwe tribe. The Ojibwe people are also held responsible for the name “Sioux”, which in their language means “enemies” or “little snakes”.

Historically, the Lakota Indians lived in tipis, the housing structure commonly depicted as an American Indian dwelling. These shelters were cone-shaped and made of buffalo hides. The tipis were ideal for the Lakota lifestyle of traveling and hunting. Tipis typically created spacious living quarters while also possessing the ability to dissemble for light and easy relocation. They were simple to assemble and provided adequate warmth in the colder months.

Among the best-known leaders of the Lakota Indians was Sitting Bull. He has served as both a war chief and a holy man. He found fame through a victory against early American servicemen at the 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn. Later, Sitting Bull led his people to Canada: Upon his return to the United States, Sitting Bull worked as a performer on Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. Some Americans feared his growing influence, which led to Sitting Bull’s assassination in 1890.

The Lakota Sioux government consists of presidents for each subtribe, local representatives within the reservations, and members of the tribal council. These officials are voted on by members of the Lakota tribe. All members can vote, regardless of whether they reside on a reservation. Despite the Lakota’s exemption from some state laws, such as gambling or gambling restrictions, they are held accountable through the federal government. The United States has formed a Bureau of Indian Affairs whose role in the Lakota community is often debated and scrutinized.

The Lakota Indians began seeking full independence from the American government in 1974. Activists have argued that the United States has made 33 treaties with the Lakota Indians, which proponents say have been violated in some way. Other activists have chosen to express their point of view by composing the “Continuing Declaration of Independence”. The Lakota Indians are still considered a semi-autonomous nation in the United States and Canada.




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