Young Adults

The Sacred Lakota Values
(Based loosely on Joseph Marshall’s 111 Book: “The Lakota Way”)

~ Jerry Pope ~

These values are interpretations are based on the teachings I have received over my 18 years in my Spiritual walk along “The Good Red Road,” or as The Lakota language has it “C’anke Luta” (“Red Road of Heart”) and Joseph Marshall’s book “The Lakota Way.” 

Humility

 Humility is one of the most important values of the Lakota people and culture. A leader, Wic’as’ Wakan (Holy Man) or Pejuta Wakan (Medicine Man), and Chief must have and show this aspect. This means the leader never brags or makes a big deal about the position they carry and keep. He or she leads by example, never thinks less of any person within his purview. Nothing that anyone does in the way of a task that he or she asks of the people in the Tiyos’paye (extended family) is something he has already done. Humility clarifies and clears away thoughts or deeds of selfishness, or arrogance. This value includes all judgements which are made with all the relations in his mind or heart.

Respect

 Respect for all forms of life, even those that can make life a challenge to live is not necessarily a value shared by all cultures in today’s hectic paced world. Respect for all people, spiritual paths, cultures, and race is absolutely essential for the survival of the people. We make ourselves to show respect when we act in this way, also including the self, ready at any point to forgive yourself & others for all perceived weaknesses. One must never being overly judgmental of all concerned.

Honor

 Honor means showing respectful actions in a good way, never expecting others to follow your example. Honor is not mandated, but doing things in a good way by following protocol, regardless of the elder who may be in charge of a particular ceremony. This also means to be completely comfortable if a person has been invited into another culture or elder’s way of doing things. You follow the lead no matter what direction it goes. Not following the path of honor presents opportunity for anarchy and chaos. 

Love

 Love is something that is well defined, but love is shown when “Walking the Good Red Road” in a good way. It has nothing to do with sexual activities except between two people in relationship. Love is a way and activity of the heart, of the mind. Love is ever abiding and non-judgmental. Love is unconditional and shown for all relations, even for things that may seem inanimate. Love never divides, but brings people together. It should always be the purpose of life and living in today’s world.

Sacrifice

 Sacrifice means being a protector and provider and in Lakota culture it was the man who provided these actions. The man in the family provided food and clothing by hunting, while the women would pick those things of the Plant Nation and Water. If necessary in the times prior to contact this could mean staking yourself to the ground, to defend your people. Sacrifice was also was expressed in several of the Sacred Songs (Olowan Wakan), and 7 Sacred Ceremonies such as Hanblec’e or Vision Quest as well as Sundance. 

Truth

Truth can sometimes be a very difficult value to define, because many of the elder’s did things in different ways according to their own teachings handed down from the ancestors and elders a person has learned from. Having said that; If ever it was found out that a member of a group to out and out lied for whatever purpose or excuse, that person could possibly be banned from that group or camp. Truth is always plain as day as long as one stops and thinks from the heart according to the ways gifted from spirit.

Compassion

Compassion is the act of love; one does this from the heart, never by duty. Compassion is never judgmental. All relations are always kept in mind when performing such an act. A good example of this would be if a hunter goes out on his or her own, then brings back the kill. The most choice of the meats were always gifted to the elders who themselves couldn’t hunt any more as well as to those not as well off. Compassion is something experienced personally and collectively by all concerned. It is said that compassion is a part of “The Great Circle of Life,” for whatever is gifted away will come back to you many times over.

Fortitude and Perseverance 

Fortitude and perseverance; a value that is quiet, done in silence. If one person falls on hard times they must find the heart to go through it with humility, knowing in the end that those hard times could do a turn around at any time. The Lakota culture is one of the few that in any way holds on to the teachings and traditions of the past despite what they have gone through because of genocide, disease, and what they are going through in the poorest of all counties in The United States. It is unyielding and persistent force and endures all hardship. This is never boastful or prideful.

Generosity 

 Generosity is not only done by duty, but by the love and compassion humbly shown for all the people without judgment and it has it’s own rewards. Generosity is a spark that enforces life, that gives hope and faith. Hopelessness and despair is put aside, and never worried about. If someone comes to the home, you share the best of what you have, and when done from the heart, it is always appreciated and dignity is restored for the gifter and the gifted. 

Wisdom

Wisdom is the experience of a life well lived. One gathers this wisdom over time, but yet children can show extraordinary wisdom, because of their pure hearts. Wisdom can also be experienced when one receives teachings and wisdom from an elder and or member of the family. Wisdom is also a gift, received from other teachers, ancestors, and other members of an individual group. Wisdom can also come through vision in any number of ceremonies. This wisdom is a temporary gift however, because times and circumstances may change and the evolutionary aspect of the human spirit.

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Editor's Note: This article also appears in this issue's Feature Article section. However we felt it critical enough to run in our Young Adult area as well.