Our work began in 2005 when Lakota leaders in South Dakota identified two issues that stood out above all others: land and children. The men told us of a long history of treaty violations, military defeats, forced relocation, broken promises, and systemic corruption that have resulted in the loss of their most sacred lands. The women talked to us about the children, and grandchildren, and a virtual epidemic of young ones being removed from their homes, their families, and their traditions—a problem so widespread that it has decimated the new generation charged with carrying the Lakota culture on.
Over the years our vision has grown. We have adopted a comprehensive set of goals that together form a template for the renewal of our Lakota government and culture…and our rebirth as the Oceti Sakowin Oyate—People of the Seven Council Fires. Our Seven Strategic Objectives are:
Strategic Objectives
Our work began in 2005 when Lakota leaders in South Dakota identified two issues that stood out above all others: land and children. The men told us of a long history of treaty violations, military defeats, forced relocation, broken promises, and systemic corruption that have resulted in the loss of their most sacred lands. The women talked to us about the children, and grandchildren, and a virtual epidemic of young ones being removed from their homes, their families, and their traditions—a problem so widespread that it has decimated the new generation charged with carrying the Lakota culture on.
Over the years our vision has grown. We have adopted a comprehensive set of goals that together form a template for the renewal of our Lakota government and culture…and our rebirth as the Oceti Sakowin Oyate—People of the Seven Council Fires. Our Seven Strategic Objectives are:
You can learn more about the specific projects that have grown out of these through the links above and on the following pages.