According to Henry Parkes, a successful society must provide physical security, ethical guidance, and emotional fulfillment to its members. For the most part, pre-Columbian Sioux society did an excellent job providing these three things. Ella Deloria is quite right in describing the Dakota as having “a scheme of life that worked.”
ID'S:
PRE-COLUMBIAN, TIPI, SUN DANCE, COUNTING COUP, LAKOTA OYATE, SEVEN COUNCIL FIRES, TIYOSPAYE, GIVE AWAY, WAKAN, WAKANTANKA, CASKE, WINONA, ATE, INA, TUNKASINA, UNCI, TAKOJA, CANKU DUTA, SKAN, TATE, THUNDERBIRD, SEVEN SACRED RITES, SWEAT LODGE, VISION QUEST
I. Introduction
II. Ways in which Lakota not so impressive
(Contrasts with Incas, Aztecs, Toltecs, Mayas)
III. General evidence of Lakota success
A. Long lasting society (sustainable society!)
B. Wide spread society
C. Adaptable society (as shown later by adoption of horse)
IV. Keys to Lakota success
A. Physical security
1. Food (hunting, fishing, gathering, preservation,
farming)
2. Shelter (tipi)
3. Clothing
4. Trade
5. Transportation
6. Medicine/health
7. Warrior society (hunter/scout/warrior)
8. Societal organization (Tiospaye, Lakota
Oyate)
B. Ethical Guidance
1. No written law
2. Custom/tradition (wouncage)
3. Basic values
C. Emotional Fulfillment
1. Religion
2. Family
3. Art, music, stories, dances