Great Sioux Nation - Subdivisions

Subdivisions

The Great Sioux Nation is divided into three linguistically and regionally based groups and several subgroups:

1. Lakota (a.k.a. Lakȟóta, Teton)
   • Northern Lakota (Húŋkpapȟa, Sihásapa)
   • Central Lakota (Mnikȟówožu, Itázipčho, Oóhenuŋpa)
   • Southern Lakota (Oglála, Sičháŋǧu)
2. Western Dakota (a.k.a. Yankton-Yanktonai or Dakȟóta)
   • Yankton (Iháŋktȟuŋwaŋ)
   • Yanktonai (Iháŋktȟuŋwaŋna)
3. Eastern Dakota (a.k.a. Santee-Sisseton or Dakhóta)
   • Santee (Isáŋyathi: Bdewákhathuŋwaŋ, Waȟpékhute)
   • Sisseton (Sisíthuŋwaŋ, Waȟpéthuŋwaŋ)

The term "Great Sioux Nation" is also sometimes applied to a hypothetical state in the western and midwestern United States, which would occupy the following recognized Indian Reservations:

• Oglala (Pine Ridge Indian Reservation)
• Sićangu (Rosebud Indian Reservation)
• Hunkpapa (Standing Rock Indian Reservation/Cheyenne River Indian Reservation)
• Minniconjou (Cheyenne River Indian Reservation)
• Sans Arc (Cheyenne River Indian Reservation)
• Two Kettles (Cheyenne River Indian Reservation)
• Crow Creek Indian Reservation
• Lower Brule Indian Reservation
• Santee Indian Reservation
• Yanktonai (Yankton Sioux Indian Reservation)
• Flandreau Indian Reservation
• Lake Traverse Indian Reservation (Sisseton-Wahpehton)
• Lower Sioux
• Upper Sioux
• Shakopee-Mdewakanton
• Prairie Island
• Standing Rock Indian Reservation
• Spirit Lake Tribe (Formerly Devil's Lake Reservation)

The hypothetical state would also include the defunct Great Sioux reservation and other "unceded Indian territory" in four states, as well as parts of the following states:

• South Dakota
• Montana
• Nebraska
• North Dakota
• Wyoming

Therefore, the theoretical Great Sioux Nation occupies only parts of the United States where Sioux tribes have some legal claim with regard to treaties with the Federal government. (See, e.g., Treaty of Fort Laramie and map of treaty land in External Links section, below.)

Historically, the Great Sioux Nation and the United States have had a turbulent relationship. The last great Indian battles, the Battle of Little Bighorn and the Wounded Knee Massacre, were fought between these two peoples.