Seven Lakota Values

Wačháŋtognaka — Generosity

The Lakota word for generosity, means to contribute to the well-being of one's people and all life by sharing and giving freely. This sharing is not just of objects and possessions, but of emotions like sympathy, compassion and kindness. It also means to be generous with one's personal time.

Giveaways have always been part of Lakota society. At important events, the family gathers their belongings and sets them out for any person in the community to take. “What you give away, you keep; what you keep you lose” is an old Lakota saying.

Wótakuye — Kinship

The Lakota word for kinship, is one of the important values coming from the thiyóšpaye — extended family. It includes the ideas of living in harmony, belonging, and as the true wealth and the importance of trusting others. It is one of the values that made the thiyóšpaye work.

For a Lakota, you belong to a thiyóšpaye through birth, marriage or adoption. Your family even extends out to your band and the whole Lakota nation. Whenever you travel somewhere, you can expect to be welcomed and supported as if you were in your own immediate family.

The Lakota were a warrior and hunting society. This meant the men might not return when they went out to fight or to hunt. So, wótakuye ensured the women, children and elders would not be left alone. In these times, generosity was the way of life, and resources were meant to be shared.

Wowačhíŋtȟaŋka — Fortitude

The Lakota word for fortitude, means facing danger or challenges with courage, strength and confidence. Believing in oneself allows a person to face challenges. Fortitude includes the ability to come to terms with problems, to accept them and to find a solution that is good for everyone.

Historically, one of the first lessons a Lakota child learned was self-control and self-restraint in the presence of parents or adults. Mastery and abilities came from games and creative play. Someone more skilled than oneself was viewed as a role model, not as a competitor. Striving was for achieving a personal goal, not for being superior to one's opponent. Success was a possession of the many, not of the few.

Wóksape — Wisdom

The Lakota word for wisdom. The knowledge and wisdom of elders are very important for the well-being of the Lakota people. This is understood to be something sought and gained over the course of one's entire life.

Wisdom has to do with understanding the meaning within natural processes and patterns. It means knowing the design and purpose of life.

It also has to do with understanding and living the spiritual values and beliefs upon which one's culture is founded and being able to share these with others. Wisdom means being able to incorporate the sacred way of life into one's own life and to respect and honor all life. It means being open to the dreams of the day and the night when spiritual direction may come to a receptive child or adult seeking wisdom.

Wóčekiya — Prayer

The Lakota stress the importance of speaking directly to Tȟuŋkášila — Creator, and to having a close and open relationship with Wakȟáŋ Tȟáŋka — Great Spirit.

They believe Mother Earth is sacred, and so they honor and respect her greatly. They give thanks to the Creator daily through living consciously and by praying to the Great Spirit. The Lakota people believe that the land does not belong to them, but rather that we belong to the land. As such, they recite daily prayers of thanks to Mother Earth and the Great Spirit for all they continue to bless us with and for the great privilege and honor of life.

Waóhola — Respect

Respect for the self, family, community all life. For people to live together in peace, they have to respect one another. The old are respected for their wisdom, and the young are respected because they are the people’s future. This attitude also means reverence for all other living things in the world.

Wówauŋšila — Compassion

Compassion and care for all especially the old ones, the young ones, those in mourning, those who work helping the people. Care for others as you would yourself because we are all part of this circle of life. Compassion is important to the Lakota people, as they all work together and lean on one another for support and survival. This includes following the values each day and including everyone in daily wóčekiya — prayers.