T O U R S

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 Great “Sioux” Nation Tribes and
Seven Council Fires T O U R S

Where did the name Great Sioux Nation come from?

The US government took the word Sioux from Nadowesioux, which comes from a Chippewa
(Ojibway) word which means little snake or enemy. The French traders and trappers who
worked with the Chippewa people shortened the word to Sioux. Sioux is a collective term
referring to the dialects of Native Americans who lived in present-day South Dakota. Each of
the bands within the Sioux Nation spoke one of three dialects. The Santee spoke Dakota; the
Yankton, Nakota; and the Teton, Lakota.

How many Indian Tribes are in South Dakota?

There are nine tribes in South Dakota. Six of the tribes reside on federally recognized
reservations—the Cheyenne River, Oglala (Pine Ridge Reservation), Rosebud, Standing Rock,
Crow Creek, and Lower Brule Tribes. The other three tribes reside on what is officially known
as tribal lands—the Yankton, Flandreau Santee Tribes and the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate (Lake
Traverse Tribal Lands).

What ethnic groups make up the “Sioux” people?

The “Sioux” people include three ethnic groups. Some of the ethnic groups are divided into
sub-groups and then are further divided into bands. The Yankton-Yanktonai, the smallest
division, reside on the Yankton tribal lands in South Dakota and the northern portion
of Standing Rock Reservation. The Santee live mostly in Minnesota and Nebraska, but
include bands in the Sisseton-Wahpeton and Flandreau/Santee tribal lands, and Crow Creek
Reservations in South Dakota. The Lakota include seven bands and are the western-most of
the three groups, occupying lands in both North and South Dakota.

What are the Seven Council Fires?

When the “Great Sioux Nation” was formed by the US government, it was divided into
seven tribes. The “Sioux” people referred to their Nation as the “Seven Council Fires” (Oceti
Sakowin). Each fire represented a family or band (tiyospaye). The Seven Council Fires
included the following:
1. Mdewakantonwan - Spirit Lake People
2. Wahpekute - Shooters among the Leaves
3. Sissetonwan - People of the Fish Ground (Sisseton)
4. Wahpetonwan - Dwellers among the Leaves (Wahpeton)
5. Ihanktonwana - Little Dwellers at the End (Yanktonais)
6. Ihanktonwan - Dwellers at the End (Yankton)
7. Tetonwan - Dwellers on the Plains (Teton, commonly referred to as Lakota)

* Lakota words appear in italics continued on back

Copyright © Native Discovery 2007

 Lakota-Nakota-Dakota T O U R S

Seven Council Fires-Oceti Sakowin

4. Sisitonwan
Camping among Swamps

N
2. Wahpekute
Leaf Shooters 5. Ihanktonwan
Camping at the End
W

E
1. Mdewakantonwan
Camping at spirit Lake

6. Ihanktonwanna
3. Wahpetonwan S Camping at the Little End
Camping among Leaves

7. Titonwan
Camping on the Plains

Dakota Nakota Lakota

4 + 2 + 1 = 7

Note: Walker, R. James, The Seven Council Fires. The Structure of Society. p15

Copyright © Native Discovery 2007

 Lakota People
T O U R S
What brought Lakota people to present-day South Dakota?
The Lakota people who reside on the Cheyenne River, Pine Ridge, and Rosebud Reservations
originally lived in the forests of north central Minnesota, where they subsisted on hunting,
fishing, and gathering. White encroachment into the area in the mid-1700s moved the Lakota
people into large parts of five Plains states, where they became expert hunters, traders, and
horsemen. Buffalo (Tatanka) became a primary source of food. By 1778, the Lakota people
had discovered the Black Hills in western South Dakota.

Seven Bands of the Lakota Nation

There are seven bands of the Lakota Nation. Lakota means “allies” or “friends.” It is the
name that people from these tribes gave to themselves long before Lewis and Clark and other
explorers arrived. It is common for Lakota tribes and tribal members to refer to themselves
and their tribes with their traditional name, Lakota, rather than their federal name, Sioux. The
seven bands, organized by the reservation where they reside, include:

Cheyenne River Indian Reservation

1. Mnicoujou - Plants by the Water
2. Oo’henumpa - Two Kettle
3. Itazipco - No Bows
4. Sihasapa - Blackfoot
Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
5. Oglala - Scatters Their Own
Rosebud Indian Reservation
6. Sicangu - Burnt Thighs
Tipis were original dwellings of Native Americans of the Great
Standing Rock Indian Reservation Plains. Today, tipis are set up during special events or at lodging
establishments for visitors to stay.
7. Hunkpapa - Camps at the Entrance

What is the history of the dispute over ownership of the Black Hills?
Encroachment by miners and settlers into the Black Hills region precipitated the Red Cloud
Wars in the 1860s. Indian people lost most of these skirmishes, and the result was the Fort
Laramie Treaty of 1868. This treaty placed the Lakota people on the Great Sioux Reservation.
In 1889, after gold was discovered in the Black Hills, the federal government confiscated 7.7
million acres of what had been awarded to tribes in the sacred Black Hills. In 1921, Sioux
tribes filed the lawsuit claiming that the Hills were taken illegally. The lawsuit took 60 years to
reach the US Supreme Court. On July 23, 1980, the Supreme Court decreed that the Hills were
taken illegally and did belong to the tribes of the Sioux Nation. The Court awarded the tribes
$105,994,430.52 for the Black Hills (Docket 74B) and $40,245,807.02 for lands taken east
of the Black Hills (Docket 74A). Justice Harry Blackmun in his legal opinion wrote, “A more
ripe and rank case of dishonest dealings may never be found in our history.” To this day, area
tribes have refused to accept this settlement money as a matter of principle. With interest, the
value of the money awarded is approaching $1 billion.

Copyright © Native Discovery 2007

 Discover the Cheyenne River, Pine Ridge
and Rosebud Reservations
T O U R S

What will I discover as I travel through the Cheyenne River, Pine Ridge
or Rosebud Reservations?
The Cheyenne River, Pine Ridge, and Rosebud Reservations are huge—each one covers
an area about the size of the state of Connecticut. The three reservations have unique
characteristics but all of them share unique prairie
grasslands and miles of open space watched over by
hawks, pheasants, and many other birds. In some places,
you can drive for miles with only nature and wildlife as
company. The stark, solitary beauty of the prairie will
amaze you. There are farms and ranches with cattle,
horses, and buffalo. Buffalo (Tatanka) hold great spiritual
significance for the Lakota people. The magnificent
Wild horses graze among the beautiful Badlands on the Pine
Ridge Reservation. Approximately 120,000 acres of the
animal gave itself to provide food, clothing and shelter
Reservation are in the Badlands, which adjoins Badlands for the people.
National Park.

Who will I meet?

The Cheyenne River, Pine Ridge, and Rosebud
Reservations are home to people from many different
ethnicities. Many families have lived on these reservations
for multiple generations. They come from all walks of life
and hold jobs that are common to any rural community
in South Dakota. Most people are familiar with the whole
reservation area and can guide you to your next stop. They
share a heritage as old and wondrous as the area you pass
through. Dress is usually casual and cowboy boots and Businesses located in the reservation communities offer a
hats are common. variety of products and services to their customers. Rebecca
LaPlante co-owns a sporting goods store with her brothers
in Eagle Butte, on the Cheyenne River Reservation.
What are the road and housing conditions?
Expect to find well maintained, paved roads leading to the main communities on these
reservations. But like many rural areas, expect gravel roads when you head out to more
remote locations. Poverty remains a challenge on all of South Dakota’s reservations. Housing
conditions are often substandard. Multiple years of drought conditions are making it difficult
to sustain the agricultural way of life that drives the economies of the Cheyenne River, Pine
Ridge, and Rosebud Reservations.

When is the best time to visit?

Each season brings time honored traditions to the reservations. In the summer, there are regular
rodeos and pow wows (wacipis) where local people and visitors gather together under a tent
or under the open skies to cheer on traditional dancers and drummers wearing fancy regalia
or to celebrate the bull rider who stays on the longest. In the fall there are hunting and fishing
opportunities. Like the rest of South Dakota, summers are often hot, falls and springs are cool,
and winters are cold.
continued on back

Copyright © Native Discovery 2007

 Where can people hunt or fish?
These reservations contain both trust and non-trust lands. Hunting T O U R S
and fishing regulation on trust lands (tribal and allotted lands) falls
under the jurisdiction of the each Tribe’s Game, Fish, and Parks
Department, whereas, hunting and fishing on non-trust lands—state, private, fee, and deeded
lands for nonmembers of the Tribe, falls under jurisdiction of the South Dakota Department of
Game, Fish, and Parks. As with hunting private lands, permission must be granted first for all
non-members hunting on tribal lands. Depending on the reservation and the season of the year,
guided hunts are available for a wide array of animals—elk, deer, turkey, prairie dog, pheasant,
buffalo, and more.

What services can visitors expect to find on the

Reservation?
Visitors will find small motels, B&Bs, and campgrounds.
Call well in advance to make sure there is a room available.
There are gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and ATM
machines. There are hardware and clothing stores, and other
Lakota Prairie Ranch Resort, on the Pine Ridge
Reservation, is just one of the many businesses that
shops. Not every business will accept credit cards. There are
caters to visitors. healthcare services for emergencies and mechanics who fix
cars. Visitors will find a place to view and purchase locally made artwork including paintings,
beadwork, star quilts, drums, and more. Information about services for visitors and how to find
local artists and their works is available at NativeDiscovery.org.

What are the populations of the Cheyenne River, Pine Ridge, and
Rosebud Reservations?
Based on the 2000 US Census data (numbers that are often disputed because they don’t
reflect population counts done by other agencies including the Bureau of Indian Affairs),
the Cheyenne River Reservation has a population of approximately 9,600 individuals, with
approximately 6,000 of them being Native American. The 2000 Census states that Pine Ridge
Reservation has a population of approximately 23,000 individuals, with approximate 14,000
of them being Native American. And Census numbers for the Rosebud Reservation has a
population of approximately 10,500 individuals, with 9,000 of them being Native American.
Not captured in these census figures are estimates of how much population numbers can
change depending on the season. For example, Pine Ridge estimates that depending on the
season, as many as 30,000 people live on the reservation. According to the US Census Bureau,
there are approximately 70,000 American Indian or Alaska Natives living in South Dakota—
about 9% of the total population.

What is the Native American Scenic Byway?

The National Scenic Byways Program is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation,
Federal Highway Administration. The program is a collaborative effort established to help
recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States. The Native
American Scenic Byway includes 305 miles that are nationally designated, and approximately
150 additional miles that are state designated. The Byway stretches into four reservations—the
Crow Creek, Lower Brule, Cheyenne River, and Standing Rock and through Yankton Tribal
Lands. It includes picturesque landscapes of plains, farmland, rolling hills, and rivers.

Copyright © Native Discovery 2007

 Sacred Number Four and the
Medicine Wheel T O U R S

Number Four

The number four is a sacred number for the Lakota people. There are four directions—north,
south, east, and west; four elements—earth, fire, air, and water; four seasons—winter, spring,
summer, and fall; and four races—red, black, white, and yellow. And there are four core
values:

1. Generosity (Wacantognaka) – Giving from the heart. Lakota people value generosity and
a man is honored for what he gives to the People. Remembering this exchange, everyone is
cared for and thrives, not just the “one”.

2. Courage (Woohitika) - Being brave. Lakota people are taught by example how to have great
courage. They learn it is an honor to face hard and difficult things yet maintain a quiet strength
and enduring sense of humor.

3. Respect (Waohola) - Respecting somebody. People should have respect for each other (the
two-leggeds), and the four-leggeds, the winged ones, the stone people, the sky and Unci Maka
(Grandmother Earth). Lakota people believe that people should have respect for one another.
We can never forget that we are all related.

4. Wisdom (Woksape) – Sharing wisdom. Elders are looked up to and respected for their
knowledge and wisdom. Sharing this knowledge through storytelling honors the oral tradition
of the Lakota people and guides the generations to come.

The Cheyenne River, Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations are made up of
beautiful landscapes of rolling prairies and grasslands, canyons and valleys.

continued on back

Copyright © Native Discovery 2007

 T O U R S

Medicine Wheel
The medicine wheel is a symbol of health and well being.
The wheel symbolizes the continuing cycle of life from birth
to death—movement in a circle has a beginning and an end,
and yet is never ending. The spokes of the wheel are remind-
ers of the four directions. Each of the four directions has a
color associated with it and a prayer is said to each direction.

South = White (White-Winged Animals)

White symbolizes the Great Spirit, Creator, and provider of

all things (Tunkasila). White symbolizes the Creator’s purity
from which came the purification ceremonies, especially
the Sun Dance, sweat lodge, and fasting. The prayer to the south is: “Tunkasila, we need your
strength to heal us and the earthy, to be our friend every day. We will be patient and wait for
your sign. Thank you, Tunkasila.”

North = Red (Buffalo Nation)

Red symbolizes the Great Spirit in the rising sun of light and life. A new day is born to sing the
praises of the Great Spirit. The special prayer said to the north is: “As we pray for you to see
and hear, lead us Tunkasila and shield us from evil spirits. Thank you Tunkasila for all of the
benefits of your guiding hand. We are lost without you.”

East = Yellow (Deer Nation)

Yellow symbolizes the Great Spirit as the provider of all blooming nature for man to use, mul-
tiply, and store for future use. The Great Spirit expects man to share his good fortune and to
give verbal thanks and sacrifice in thanksgiving. The special prayer for the east is: “Tunkasila,
guide us in the harvest so that we do not destroy your gifts, nor be wasteful, but be conscious
of the needs of our fellow man at all times.”

West = Black (Horse and Dog Nation)

Black symbolizes the Great Spirit in the setting sun of light and life. Man should be conscious
of time passing and ending. He should review each day and its blessings and ask Tunkasila to
guard him through another day. The special prayer for the west is: “As darkness overcomes us,
we pray in thanksgiving for all the blessings given us from the bounty of your love Tunkasila.”

* The prayers above are examples. Prayers vary by reservation.

Copyright © Native Discovery 2007

 Traditional Lakota Art
T O U R S

Beauty and art have played a large role in the day-to-day lives of Lakota people for millennia.
Designs that focused on originality, harmony, emotional and aesthetic impact, symbolism, and
skill have been found in and around the homes of Lakota from before Western contact up to
the present day. That creativity and blurring of the line between art and every day can be seen
today in art forms from beadwork and quillwork to woodcarvings and star quilts.

Star quilts by Bonnie LeBeau, Cheyenne Acrylic paintings by Richard Red Owl, Pine Paintings and batik by Linda Szabo, Rosebud
River Reservation Ridge Reservation Reservation

The earliest forms of traditional arts were painted designs on parfleche—folded containers
made from the hide of large animals—and the use of dyed and wrapped or tacked porcupine
quills on many items such as clothing and ceremonial objects. These techniques and styles can
still be seen today and are often passed along within families from generation to generation.
Today, quillwork is seen as earrings and other jewelry, on pipe bags, moccasins, dance regalia,
and many other places.

Beadwork is most often associated with the Lakota and other Native American groups, but is a
more recent media that Lakota artists have embraced and made their own. Beads were intro-
duced to the Northern Plains in the 19th century, and many of the techniques and patterns used
in quillwork were modified for use in beading items ranging from ceremonial to utilitarian.
Color combinations and preferences have changed constantly over the years, but many fami-
lies still use the same patterns that have been used for centuries. Modern styles, markets, and
trends have expanded the use of the beadwork to items such as watch bands, key chains, bar-
rettes, jewelry, clothing and footware, quilts and blankets, carvings and sculptures, drum and
dance regalia, prints and paintings, weapons, home décor, and baby gifts.

Another more modern form of Lakota art is the star quilt, which incorporates traditional ideas
of color and design along with the functionality of a usable blanket. Learning from the Amish
while attending boarding schools in the 19th and early 20th centuries, Lakota women brought
the star quilt back to the reservations and it became an outlet for traditional artistic values.
Today star quilts are a vital part of the modern Lakota culture and are a vibrant art form.

Native American art is packed with history and breathtaking beauty. We invite you to discover
the wondrous heritage of the Lakota people through their art.

As part of the Native Discovery partnership, artists from the Cheyenne River, Pine Ridge, and
Rosebud Reservations are featured at NativeDiscovery.org. Check out the website to meet the
artists and view some of their work they have for sale.

Copyright © Native Discovery 2007

 Recommended Books
T O U R S

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West by Dee Brown.
New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1970.

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee focuses on events taking place from 1860 to 1890 and
provides an account of the time period told from the Native American point of view. It
combines several eyewitness accounts and official records and presents a critical indictment
of the US politicians, soldiers, and citizens who colonized the American West. The author
demonstrates that white people instigated the great majority of the conflicts with Native
Americans. The book describes the US government’s attempt to acquire land from Native
Americans by using a mix of threats, deception, and murder. In addition, the book showed
the attempts to crush Native beliefs and practices. These acts were justified by the theory of
Manifest Destiny, which stated that European descendents acting for the US government had a
God-given right to take land from the Native Americans.

Waterlily by Ella Cara Deloria. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1988.

Ella Cara Deloria was born in 1889 on the Yankton Reservation and lived as a child on the
Standing Rock Reservation. Her novel depicts both the everyday activities and extraordinary
events of female Dakota (Sioux) in the mid-nineteenth century, before whites settled the plains.

The Nations Within: The Past and Future of American Indian Sovereignty by Deloria Vine Jr.
and Clifford M. Lytle. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1984.

This book is on Native American self-rule. It focuses on John Collier’s struggle with both the
US Congress and the Native American tribes to develop a New Deal for Native Americans.
The book provides a detailed historical account and includes current Native American points
of view about initiatives Native people have taken to rebuild their communities. It suggests
that Native Americans might be better and faster if they are allowed to engage in community
rebuilding in their own ways.

The Soul of an Indian and Other Writings from Ohiyesa by Charles Alexander (Ohiyesa)
Eastman and Kent Nerburn. New World Library, 1993.

Ohiyesa is a Dakota Native American born in Minnesota in 1858. He is also known as Charles
Alexander Eastman. He obtained postgraduate degrees and advised US presidents before
returning to traditional living in native forests. This is a sequel to the highly acclaimed Native
American Wisdom and is an exploration of Native American spirituality. Nerburn draws from
several of Ohiyesa’s books, including The Soul of the Indian.

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Copyright © Native Discovery 2007

 T O U R S

The Lakota Way: Stories and Lessons for Living by Joseph M. Marshall III. New York:
Penguin Compass, 2002.

Joseph Marshall is a member of the Rosebud Lakota Tribe. He focuses on the twelve core
qualities that are crucial to a Lakota way of living—bravery, fortitude, generosity, wisdom,
respect, honor, perseverance, love, humility, sacrifice, truth, and compassion. The Lakota Way
looks at spirituality and ethical living and draws from the wisdom Joseph learned from his
elders to impart the path to a fulfilling and meaningful life.

Neither Wolf Nor Dog: On Forgotten Roads with an Indian Elder by Kent Nerburn. New
World Library, 2002.

Kent Nerburn draws the reader deep into the world of a Lakota elder known only as Dan who
speaks about Native American life of the past and present. The book weaves memories of the
Ghost Dance and Sitting Bull into a world of Native American towns, white roadside cafes,
and abandoned roads. The book features a story of two men struggling to find a common voice
and looks at differences between land and property, the power of silence, and the selling of
sacred ceremonies.

The Earth Shall Weep: A History of Native America by James Wilson. New York: Grove
Press, 1998.

This book combines traditional historical sources with insights from ethnography, archaeology,
Native American oral tradition, and years of original research to create a history of Native
Americans and the struggle for survival against the tide of invading European peoples
and cultures. The book is divided into three main parts. Part I, “Origins,” deals with the
fundamental differences between Native American origin myths and the Western (white)
man’s belief system, and reviews what little is known of pre-contact Native America. Part II,
“Invasions,” separately covers the history of each major part of the country since contact. Part
III, “Internal Frontiers,” covers the widely differing policies our government has adopted in
the last 150 years to deal with “the Indian problem.”

Copyright © Native Discovery 2007

 Cheyenne River Indian Reservation
T O U R S

The Cheyenne River Indian Reservation—the Good River Reservation (Wakpa Wasté Oyanke)
is located in north central South Dakota. The Reservation is bordered by the Missouri River
on the east and the Cheyenne River on the south. The Reservation encompasses approximately
2.4 million acres, with 1.4 million held by the Tribe. It is an area approximately the size of
the state of Connecticut and includes 14 small, dispersed communities and two counties. It is
bordered by the Missouri River on the east and the Cheyenne River on the south. Highway
212 runs east-west through the Reservation and County Road 63 runs north-south, connecting
the Reservation to Interstate 90. According to the 2000 US Census, the Cheyenne River
Reservation has a population of approximately 9,600 individuals, including about 6,000 Native
Americans.

The official flag of the Cheyenne River Tribe appears below. The blue represents the thunder
clouds above the world, home to the thunder birds that control the four winds. The rainbow is
for the Cheyenne River People who are keepers of the most sacred Calf Pipe, a gift from the
White Buffalo Calf Maiden. The eagle feathers at the edges of the rim of the world represent
the spotted eagle who is the protector of all Lakota. The two pipes fused together are for unity.
One pipe is for the Lakota, the other is for other Indian nations. The yellow hoops represent the
Sacred Hoop, which shall not be broken. The Sacred Calf Pipe Bundle in red represents Wakan
Tanka, the Great Mystery. All the colors of the Lakota are visible. The red, yellow, black, and
white represent the four major races.

Cheyenne River Reservation

SOUTH DAKOTA

29
Eagle Butte, SD
212

83
212

63

90
37
83

79 14 63
Badlands
90
40

90
83

44

37

18
18
Rosebud, SD

29
Pine Ridge, SD

Pine Ridge Reservation Rosebud Reservation

Copyright © Native Discovery 2007

 Rosebud Indian Reservation
T O U R S

The Rosebud Indian Reservation is located in south central South Dakota. The Reservation is
bordered by the Pine Ridge Reservation on the northwest corner and by the state of Nebraska
on the south. The largest portion of the Reservation is located in Todd County. There are also
surrounding Tribal Lands located in parts of Tripp, Mellette, Gregory, and Lyman Counties.
This larger tribal land area encompasses a geographic area of approximately 890,000 acres.
Highway 18 runs east-west through the Reservation and Highway 83 runs north-south,
connecting the Reservation to Interstate 90. According to the 2000 US Census, the Rosebud
Reservation has a population of approximately 10,500 individuals, including about 9,000
Native Americans.

The official flag of the Rosebud Tribe appears below. The center and cross in the middle
represents the wisdom of the Lakota people. The diamond represents the four directions of
the Rosebud Reservation. Crossed pipes represent the pipe of peace and friendship to all who
come to the Reservation. Peace pipes are also a spiritual and religious symbol. The 20 roses
with Lakota Tipis inside them represent the 20 communities on the Reservation. The name
Rosebud was designated for the Sicangu Lakota people back in 1877 because of the abundance
of rosebuds that grew in the area.

White represents purity and the North where snow comes from. Red represents the sunrise
and the East. It also indicates sunset, thunder, lightening, and forms of plant and animal life.
Yellow is for the land of sunshine and the South. Blue represents the sky, clouds, wind, moon,
water, day and the West. Black represents night and the mysteries. Orange has no historical
significance—it is a mixture of red and yellow.

Cheyenne River Reservation

SOUTH DAKOTA

29
Eagle Butte, SD
212

83
212

63

90
37
83

79 14 63
Badlands
90
40

90
83

44

37

18
18
Rosebud, SD

29
Pine Ridge, SD

Pine Ridge Reservation Rosebud Reservation

Copyright © Native Discovery 2007

 Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
T O U R S

The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation is located in southwestern South Dakota on the Nebraska
state line, about an hour south of Interstate 90 and an hour east of the Black Hills area (Paha
Sapa—the Heart of Everything That Is). The area includes over 11,000 square miles. Most of
the land comprising the reservation lies within Shannon and Jackson Counties. In addition,
there are extensive off-reservation trust lands, mostly in adjacent Bennett County, but also
extending into adjacent Whiteclay, Nebraska in Sheridan County. This larger tribal land area
encompasses a geographic area of approximately 2.2 million acres. Highway 18 runs east-
west through the southern end of the Reservation, County Road 44 runs east-west across the
northern end, and County Roads 73 and 377 run north-south, connecting the Reservation to
Interstate 90. The Reservation borders the Badlands National Park (Maka Sica—land bad) on
the north and 120,000 acres of the Park are part of the Reservation. According to the 2000 US
Census, the Pine Ridge Reservation has a population of approximately 23,000 individuals,
including about 14,000 Native Americans.

The official flag of the Oglala Tribe appears below. The red flag bears a circle of eight white
teepees representing the eight districts of the Pine Ridge Reservation. The districts include
Porcupine, Wakpamni, Medicine Root, Pass Creek, Eagle Nest, White Clay, LaCreek, and
Wounded Knee. The red color represents the Lakota people and is considered a sacred color.

Cheyenne River Reservation

SOUTH DAKOTA

29
Eagle Butte, SD
212

83
212

63

90
37
83

79 14 63
Badlands
90
40

90
83

44

37

18
18
Rosebud, SD

29
Pine Ridge, SD

Pine Ridge Reservation Rosebud Reservation

Copyright © Native Discovery 2007

 T O U R S
Are You Welcome to Visit Tribal Communities and Reservations?

Absolutely! We have been welcoming visitors - Indian and non-Indian – to our communities since
the beginning of time. When visiting, please treat our home as you would anyone else’s – with respect
for property, privacy and traditions. Here are a few suggestions to help you navigate.

• Not all ceremonies and performances are open to the general public. Public events will be
announced.
• Observe ceremonies and performances respectfully.
• Ask permission before taking photographs or making recordings or sketches.
• Supervise your children at all times.
• Observe signs and stay in designated areas.
• Homes are private. Enter only when invited.
• Leave undisturbed any objects or artifacts, including fossils, that you may find on the ground.
• Alcohol, weapons and drugs are prohibited at tribal events.
• Obey all posted rules and laws.
• When uncertain, simply ask!

It’s common sense, really.

So enjoy your visit and come back again and again.

Is It Indian-Made?

As you visit tribal communities you’ll see an amazing array of traditional and contemporary art
– from painting and sculpture to beautiful textiles, beadwork, jewelry, quillwork, quilts and more. Our
arts are distinct, and our artists are respected and valued.
If you would like to purchase a work of art, please observe the following suggestions to ensure that
what you’re about to purchase is authentically produced by American Indian artists.

• Know what you are buying.

• Buy only from reputable sources and places.
• Ask for documentation such as a receipt that describes what you’ve purchased and identifies the
artist.
• Whenever possible, buy directly from the artist.
• Know the artist’s name and tribal affiliation, and be sure each piece is signed or hallmarked (a
logo or symbol that represents that specific artist). This is recommended for insurance purposes
and will help document your trip and/or collection.
• Not all artists will bargain over price. This is a case-by-case situation.

If artworks are marketed as “American Indian,” they must be made by an enrolled member of a
federally or state recognized tribe. If not, it is a violation of the federal Indian Arts and Crafts Act of
1990 which was enacted to curtail exploitation of tribal artists and art forms.

For more information, please contact the Indian Arts and Crafts Board (IACB), Department of the
Interior, Washington, DC, at (202) 208-3773 or visit www.doi.gov/iach/

Copyright © Native Discovery 2007

 T O U R S
Do All Tribes Operate Casinos?

There are 562 federally recognized tribes in the United States today. Of these, two in five tribes
have gaming operations. To learn more about tribal casinos, visit the National Indian Gaming
Association’s website at www.indiangaming.org. You’ll discover that tribal casinos are just as
different from one another as the tribes themselves.
In most cases, casinos help tribes rise above the economic poverty many of our communities
have known for generations. They provide jobs and services that are often rare in tribal
communities. Revenues generated by casinos are dedicated to improving tribal education, health
care, housing, natural and cultural resources, language, culture, infrastructure and government.
Local, non-tribal communities benefit, too, in the form of jobs, financial support for essential
governmental services and charitable contributions to schools, libraries and other non-profit
organizations.

Used with permission from COTA (Circle of Tribal Advisors) and the Missouri Historical Society.

Copyright © Native Discovery 2007