Sioux - Ethnic Divisions

Ethnic Divisions

The Sioux are divided into three ethnic groups, the larger of which are divided into sub-groups, and further branched into bands.

• The Santee live on reservations, reserves, and communities in Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Canada.

• Most of the Yanktons live on the Yankton Indian Reservation in southeastern South Dakota. Some Yankton live on the Lower Brule Indian Reservation and Crow Creek Reservation. The Yanktonai are divided into Lower Yanktonai, who occupy the Crow Creek Reservation; and Upper Yanktonai, who live in the northern part of Standing Rock Reservation, on the Spirit Lake Reservation in central North Dakota, and in the eastern half of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in northeastern Montana. In addition, they reside at several Canadian reserves, including Birdtail, Oak Lake, and Moose Woods.

• The Lakota are the westernmost of the three groups, occupying lands in both North and South Dakota.

Today, many Sioux also live outside their reservations.

• Santee division (Eastern Dakota) (Isáŋyathi)
  • Mdewakantonwan (Bdewékhaŋthuŋwaŋ "Spirit Lake Village")

    notable persons: Taoyateduta

  • Sisseton (Sisíthuŋwaŋ, perhaps meaning "Fishing Grounds Village")
  • Wahpekute (Waȟpékhute, "Leaf Archers")

    notable persons: Inkpaduta

  • Wahpetonwan (Waȟpéthuŋwaŋ, "Leaf Village")

• Yankton-Yanktonai division (Western Dakota) (Wičhíyena)
  • Yankton (Iháŋkthuŋwaŋ, "End Village")
  • Yanktonai (Iháŋkthuŋwaŋna, "Little End Village")
    • Upper Yanktonai
    • Unkpatina or Lower Yanktonai

    notable persons: Wanata, Chief War Eagle

• Teton division (Lakota) (Thítȟuŋwaŋ, perhaps meaning "Dwellers on the Prairie"):
  • Oglála (perhaps meaning "Those Who Scatter Their Own")

    notable persons: Crazy Horse, Red Cloud, Black Elk, Blue Horse, Iron Tail, Flying Hawk and Billy Mills (Olympian)

  • Hunkpapa (Húŋkpapȟa, meaning "Those who Camp by the Door" or "Wanderers")

    notable persons: Sitting Bull

  • Sihasapa (Sihásapa, "Blackfoot Sioux," not to be confused with the Algonquian-speaking Blackfeet)
  • Minniconjou (Mnikȟówožu, "Those who Plant by Water")

    notable persons: Lone Horn, Touch the Clouds

  • Brulé (French translation of Sičháŋǧu, "Burned Thigh")
  • Sans Arcs (French translation of Itázipčho, "Those Without Bows")
  • Two Kettles (Oóhenupa, "Two Boilings")