Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North & South Dakota

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North & South Dakota, a federally recognized tribe, represents a vibrant and historically significant group of people residing primarily in North and South Dakota. Their story is woven into the fabric of the Great Plains, marked by adaptation, resilience, and a deep connection to their ancestral lands. This article explores the history, culture, governance, and contemporary life of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, shedding light on their enduring legacy.

Origins and Tribal Affiliations

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe comprises descendants of various divisions of the Great Sioux Nation, primarily the Dakota and Lakota people. Within these divisions, specific groups hold prominence:

Yankton and Yanktonai: Collectively known as the Wiceyala, or Middle Sioux, they form a significant portion of the tribe. The Standing Rock community includes the Upper Yanktonai (Ihanktonwana, meaning "little end villages") and the Yanktonai from the Cut Head Band.
Cut Head Band: The Cut Heads acquired their distinctive name following a dispute during their secession from the Yanktonai. A fight ensued, and their leader sustained a scalp wound, leading to the moniker "Cut Head."
Lakota (Teton Sioux): The Lakota, the largest division of the Sioux Nation, are further subdivided into the Oceti Sakowin, or Seven Council Fires. Two of these subdivisions are represented within the Standing Rock Reservation:
- Hunkpapa: Their name signifies their hereditary right to pitch their tepees at the outer edge of the village, acting as defenders of the camp. Hunkpapa translates to "campers at the Horn."
- Sihasapa: Also known as "Blackfeet," a name derived from an incident where they walked across a burned prairie after an unsuccessful expedition, resulting in blackened feet. It’s crucial to distinguish them from the Algonquian Blackfeet of Montana and Canada, who are an entirely separate group.

Names and Meanings

The term "Sioux" is a common designation for this group of people. Its origin traces back to the Ojibwa (Annishinaabe) term Nadouwesou, meaning "adders" or "little snakes," a derogatory term indicating enemies. French traders shortened and corrupted this term, eventually leading to "Sioux."

The terms "Dakota" and "Lakota" have distinct meanings. While "Dakota" is often translated as "friend or ally," the term "Lakota" translates more accurately to "those who consider themselves kindred." The "Da" syllable in Dakota signifies "like (or related) [to Lakota]." "Dakotah" derives from "WoDakotah," meaning "harmony – a condition of being at peace with oneself and in harmony with one another and with nature. A condition of lifestyle patterned after the natural order of nature."

Geographical Location and Territory

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North & South Dakota’s ancestral ties lie in the Great Plains, although their origins trace back to the Eastern Woodlands. Today, they primarily reside in North Dakota and South Dakota.

Traditional Territory: Historically, the Hunkpapa and Sihasapa roamed the area between the Cheyenne and Heart Rivers (south and north, respectively), and between the Missouri River (east) and Tongue River (west). Before their westward migration, the Sioux were centered around the Great Lakes as part of the Woodland Culture.
Reservation: The Standing Rock Reservation, the tribe’s current land base, spans 562,366 acres in South Dakota. The tribal headquarters are located in Fort Yates, North Dakota. The reservation operates on two time zones: Mountain (South Dakota side) and Central (North Dakota side).

Governance and Political Structure

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe operates under a constitution and bylaws approved in 1959, reflecting their commitment to self-governance.

Governing Body: The Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Council serves as the tribe’s governing body.
Council Membership: The Council consists of fourteen members. Eight are elected from election districts, while six are residents of the reservation, regardless of their residence within any specific district or state.
Executive Officers: The executive officers include a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary.

Language and Cultural Heritage

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe possesses a rich linguistic and cultural heritage.

Language Classification: The tribal languages belong to the Siouan-Catawban language family, specifically the Mississippi Valley Siouan (Central Siouan) branch, Dakotan, and Sioux. The Yankton-Yanktonai and Lakota dialects are prevalent.
Dialects: Dakota and Lakota are the primary dialects spoken.

Historical Overview

The history of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is a narrative of adaptation and resilience in the face of profound change.

Early Interactions: As the Middle Sioux migrated onto the prairie, they encountered semi-sedentary riverine tribes such as the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara. The Yanktonai eventually displaced these tribes, pushing them upstream.
Trade and Cultural Exchange: Despite displacement, the Yanktonai engaged in trade with these tribes. Some bands adopted earth lodges, bullboats, and horticultural techniques, although buffalo remained their primary food source.
Woodland Legacy: The Yanktonai also maintained aspects of their former Woodland lifestyle.

Culture and Traditions

The culture of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is deeply rooted in the values and traditions of their ancestors.

Nomadic Lifestyle: The Lakota Hunkpapas and Sihasapa, as northern plains people, embraced a nomadic lifestyle centered around the horse and buffalo. They lived in hide tepees year-round.
Spiritual Beliefs: Wakan Tanka, "The Great Mystery", represents the supreme spiritual being. They believe both animate and inanimate objects possess spirits or souls, including trees, plants, rocks, birds, and animals. They maintain that humans are equal to, not superior to, all other life forms. Individuals could seek personal guardian spirits through dreams or vision quests.
Art and Crafts: The tribe is renowned for its exquisite beadwork.
Animals: Before acquiring horses, dogs served as pack animals, often hitched to travois. Excess puppies were sometimes consumed as a food source.

Contemporary Life

Today, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is actively engaged in preserving its cultural heritage, promoting education, and fostering economic development.

Population: As of 2010, 10,133 enrolled members resided on the Standing Rock Reservation.
Education: Sitting Bull College, located in Ft. Yates, ND, and United Tribes Technical College provide higher education opportunities for tribal members.
Media: The tribe operates KLND 89.5 FM radio station in Little Eagle, SD. Newspapers such as the Teton Times and Corson/Sioux Co. News-Messenger serve the community.

Notable Figures

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has produced numerous influential figures who have left their mark on history and culture.

Sitting Bull: A Hunkpapa leader, Sitting Bull served as a spiritual leader and the last known leader of the Cante Tinza, an elite warrior society. He played a pivotal role in the victory over Custer at the Battle of Little Big Horn. Later in life, he traveled with Buffalo Bill Cody’s "Wild West Show."
Arthur Amiotte: (Oglala Lakota) – Painter, Sculptor, Author, Historian.
Vine Deloria Jr: An influential Native American author and activist.
Bryan Akipa: (Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate) – A renowned flutist.
Patricia Locke: (Ta Wacin Waste Win) – A Hunkpapa Lakota and Chippewa educator and MacArthur Fellow who assisted in establishing community colleges on tribal reservations.

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North & South Dakota: A Legacy of Resilience

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North & South Dakota stands as a testament to the enduring strength and cultural richness of the Sioux people. Their history, traditions, and contemporary endeavors reflect a commitment to preserving their heritage while navigating the challenges of the modern world. This informative exploration offers a glimpse into the lives and legacy of this remarkable tribe.