“The land is sacred. The land is our mother, the rivers our blood. Take our land away and we die.”

Siouan people like the Lakota were nomads, particularly after they adopted horse culture from the Cheyenne in the 18th Century. Their lodges were the famous teepees, which of course are portable tents. They followed and hunted the herds of buffalo and other game, and gathered plant food as they were able. Another thing they did was make war to steal horses and women from other tribes, or to drive them out of a desirable area. The Lakota may have been driven from the Great Lakes region, and in turn pushed other tribes before them.

The term "brave" was not honorary. The warrior was expected to kill and steal for the tribe. Making war was a primary part of most Native American cultures. The magnificent feathered head dress showed all of the warriors' mighty deeds, including counting coup and killing. They had constant conflict with the white man because the whites just wanted to get the war over once and for all and get back to making money. Most military historians consider Plains Indians like the Lakota Sioux to be the best light cavalry in the history of the world.

The Lakota have almost certainly lived on reservation lands longer than anywhere else. I've lived in five states and the District of Columbia. Everywhere you go, there you are.