Lakota Values

Wicohan Wankatuya are the valued high standards of behaviour expected of everyone in the tiospaye and the oyate, extended family and nation. These values and virtues are there to prevent chaos in the community and the nation and the world.

Waunsila is to have compassion, kindness, generosity, sympathy.

Wocekiye are the prayers to Tankasila individually as well as congregationally.

Wowacintanka is respect, honor, politeness.

Woohola is respect, politeness, reverence.

Wacantognaka is affection, to like, to love, compassion.

Woohitika is bravery, courage, hardiness.

Wakokipesni is courage, unafraid.

Woksape is wisdom, philosophy.

Wolakota is the continuous process of making peace in the world.

Wacinkiciyapi is trust in each other.
And thereby, a Lakota man, women, or youth walks confidently in the nation and community, especially if he or she knows the discipline of moral laws. In the language of the Lakota,

Woanapte means prohibitions and restrictions, and these come from enduring spiritual, religious understanding of the Lakota Way.

Owakankan sniyo means not to lie.

Waasin sniyo means do not covet.

Wamanu sniyo means do not steal.

Mnisawitko woyatke-sniyo means do not abuse alcohol.

Wacaniye sniyo means do no violence against women.

Tiwicakte sniyo means do not kill also icikte sniyo = no suicide.

The above listing is not exhaustive to say the least but they are the most important ones for the moment.

Wicahpi Wanjila-Leroy C. Curley
Dec. 28th 2009