The Sioux Nation

Canadian history 11 Eduardo Liang, Ken Wright

Where

Historical Background

• Native American people• The term Sioux can be

used to describe any ethnic group within the Great Sioux Nation

• Sioux can be divided between the Teton, the Isant, and the Ihanktowan-ihanktowana

Culture

• The Ghost Dance, a ceremony intended to call back the Buffalo and send away the whites

• Uses paintings to record important events such as buffalo hunting, wars, religious events…

Religious Practices

• They believed that spirits lived in the sun, rain, earth and wind. Wankan Tanka created them and gave them animals as food.

• The Sun Dance: to get gifts from the spirits, such as bringing powerful vision upon participants, renewing the people and the earth, giving thanks, protecting the people from illness and danger, fulfilling a vow, or praying for increased fertility.

Clothing

• Women wore a simple one-piece shifts or dresses, and moccasins.

• Men wore heavily fringed leggings, shirts, robes and moccasins.

• During hunts, wore buffalo robes with paintings on them that told either the wearer's great achievements, or only daily events.

Housing

• Used a portable animal teepee, when hunting.

• The permanent houses were made of mud and earth.

• Since they were permanent, the lodges were much fancier than the teepees.

Family Life

• Family was considered the key unit of life.• Children were of primary importance to the families, and

therefore the centre of attention.• Roles of men and women were clearly defined: men were to

defend the family by hunting and fighting enemies. Women: matriarchs, ruling the domestic life.

Language

• There are three different dialects: Dakota, Nakota and Lakota. Each has it’s sub-lects:

• Santee (a.k.a. Dakota) – Santee – Sisseton

• Yankton (a.k.a. Yankton-Yanktonai, Nakota) – Yankton – Yanktonai

• Lakota (a.k.a. Lakhota, Teton, Teton Sioux) – Northern Lakota – Southern Lakota

Pictures

Here are some pictures that show some of their life style, and beliefs, as well as the influence the Europeans had in their lives and traditions

HOWARD TERPNINGWar Stories

HOWARD TERPNINGA Friendly Game at Rendezvous, 1832

HOWARD TERPNINGOn the Edge of the World

HOWARD TERPNINGPrairie Knights

HOWARD TERPNINGMedicine Man of the Cheyenne

HOWARD TERPNINGThe Long Shot

HOWARD TERPNINGThe Force of Nature Humbles All Men

Bibliography

• http://collections.ic.gc.ca/heirloom_series/volume2.htm

• http://www.promotega.org/fld30009/sioux.html• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sioux• http://www.crystalinks.com/sioux.html• http://www.history.com/exhibits/sioux/index.html

Pictures from: • http://www.galleryone.com/terpning_prints.htm