Horses became an important part of Lakota society because the Lakota were nomadic. Lakota people moved their villages to places where they had good grass and water for their horses and nearby bison herds. Horses made moving the village much easier because they could...
The wolf, šuŋgmánitu tȟáŋka supernatural powers of organization, wisdom, and cooperation. Observing wolf packs gave humans valuable lessons on the unity of the family structure, cooperating for the good of the community, strong observation skills, and using wisdom to...
The turtle, kéya is a sacred figure in Lakota symbolism as it represents Mother Earth. The spirit of the kéya represents the guardian of life, longevity, and fortitude. Lakota dance dresses are traditionally decorated with a beaded yoke that incorporates the...
The skunk, maká is courageous and determined, self-assured and unafraid of foes many times his size. The skunk will even stand his ground with an approaching bear. When skunk fearlessly turns his back and raises his tail, every foe knows what that means. For this...
The symbolic meaning of the raven, kȟaŋği tȟáŋka in Lakota lore describes the raven as a creature of metamorphosis and symbolizes change/transformation. In some tribes, the Raven is considered a trickster because of its transforming/changing attributes. Often honored...
