CH3 - Early Dakota

respect

expression of courtesy and regard, or consideration, toward others; the Dakota value learned about in the Ghost Wife story

kinship

having close connections with one's relatives

Council Fires

the 7 bands (or subgroups) of the Dakota Nation

values

the beliefs or practices that someone, or a group of people, think are important

generosity

the habit of giving without expecting anything in return; the Dakota value learned about in the Badger & the Bear story

human capital

the knowledge and skills people have and use to earn some type of income; for example, hunting, farming, gathering, tool making

oral history

the purposeful retelling of stories from the past

storytellers

the specialized experts at remembering and retelling the oral history of a group of people; they have the ability to make a story come alive in order to teach and entertain simultaneously

bark lodge

the summer homes of the Dakota made out of wooden frames, covered by bark

income

what people get or "earn" by using their knowledge & skills (human capital); for example, money, crops, animals, tools

tradition

customs or beliefs that are passed from generation to generation

Mni Sota Makoce

A Dakota phrase that inspired the name of our state - "Minnesota" - it means "land where the waters are so clear, that they reflect the clouds in the sky"

Dakota

A tribe, or group, of people that is indigenous or native to the land now known as Minnesota. The name means "Friend." They have also been named or called the Sioux by others.

tipi

a cone-shaped house made by stretching animal skins over a frame of wooden poles; used by the Dakota primarily in the fall, winter & spring

Sioux

a shortening of the term "Nadouessioux" - a French spelling of an Ojibwe term thought to mean "Snakes"; these people call themselves Dakota, meaning "Friend";

extended family

all relatives, including parents, children, grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles -- formed the basis for the traditional Dakota social structure

elder

an older, respected member of a family, culture and/or society; generally attempt to purposefully help others;