Stories Oceti Sakowin

CALL TO ACTION

We hope you read the 2020 featured book, Our History is OUR 0 Read One or All the Future, and then continue on to read the other nine 1 RECOMMENDED of the Selected Books books recommended by the selection committee to begin your journey to learn more about the Oceti Sakowin. BOOKS FOR Buy books by Native writers instead of simply purchasing 2020 Decolonize books about tribes. Also, buy new books instead of used Your Bookshelf books. That way tribal writers actually receive royalties from their hard work, more books will be in circulation for others to read and publishers will know there is a demand for books by Indigenous writers.

Reach out to friends, family or co-workers who might be Start a Book Club interested in learning more about Native cultures and Featuring Indigenous Authors literatures. You can form a discussion group that meets online or in person. If you are in a book club, add books by Native writers.

Some books by Native writers can be expensive, as they are Increase Access self-published, published-on-demand or out-of-print. After to Books by Native Writers you have finished reading a book by an Indigenous author, Stories donate it to a local school or library. of the

Ask your local bookstore to set up a display promoting Oceti Sakowin Engage #NativeReads in your community. Inquire about inviting these in Independent Bookstores authors to participate in readings or other community events.

Many Native authors have written books for younger Read Books audiences. Volunteer to read one of these books at your child’s school or recommend one to your child’s teacher. by Native Writers to Youth It is important for Native students to see themselves positively reflected in literature and for non-Native students to learn more about other communities. Visit ﬁrstnations.org/ NativeReads for a list of children’s books by Native authors.

Provide financial support for organizations and initiatives that further the development of tribal writers and organizations Invest in Native People that are Native-led so they can tell accurate stories about their Telling Their Own Stories own communities.

ﬁrstnations.org

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 2432 Main Street, 2nd Floor Longmont, Colorado 80501 PRESENTED BY 303.774.7836 • [email protected] ABOUT 2020 #NativeReads Selection Committee The selection committee is comprised of six members from the Society who volunteered or were selected to assist with this new national Indigenous reading campaign because of their expertise and For almost 40 years, First Nations First Nations is pleased to announce its commitment to preserving Development Institute (First Nations) has new Indigenous reading campaign called and perpetuating Dakota, supported and empowered tribes to reclaim #NativeReads to honor and celebrate Lakota and Nakota cultures control of their assets, including their own Indigenous writers from a specific tribe or and literatures. cultures, languages, histories, natural region. For more than 200 years, Native resources and economies. Recently, we have literatures have been shaped and influenced by begun to explore how Native Americans can individuals from outside our tribal communities. also recover their tribe’s intellectual property, First Nations firmly believes that it is time for MEMBERS ORDERED LEFT TO RIGHT ABOVE: The Selection Process & Criteria including creative assets such as oral stories, citizens of sovereign tribal nations to define and In 2019, Oceti Sakowin citizens were surveyed about the books print literature and art. articulate their own literary traditions. Sarah Hernandez, Ph.D. that are most important and impactful to their own tribal communities. A six-member selection committee was convened TRIBE Sicangu Lakota to read and review selected books. This publication includes PROFESSION Assistant Professor the selection committee's 10 recommendations from this list with SOCIETY MEMBER 2013 educational materials that are key sources for understanding early and contemporary Dakota, Lakota and Nakota people and For the inaugural year of ABOUT THE Lanniko Lee communities. Sarah Hernandez, Ph.D., wrote the content for this Miniconjou Lakota publication on behalf of the Society. #NativeReads, First Nations TRIBE Retired Educator – Literature PROFESSION The Society’s mission is to use writing to correct and challenge partnered with the Oak Lake Oak Lake Writers' Society 1993 SOCIETY MEMBER negative stereotypes about Dakota, Lakota and Nakota people Writers’ Society (Society) to increase and communities. To these ends, they developed the following Established in 1993, the Society is a supportive community Patty Bordeaux Nelson knowledge of and appreciation for of more than 30 Oceti Sakowin writers and scholars five standards to evaluate this year’s finalists and ensure that Sicangu Lakota these representations are positive, empowering reflections of Oceti Sakowin (Dakota, Lakota and committed to perpetuating Dakota, Lakota and Nakota TRIBE Retired Disabilities Advocate their rich cultural heritage: Nakota) literatures. Because of the cultures and literatures through the development of PROFESSION SOCIETY MEMBER 2008 culture-based writing. The Society’s name stems from devastating effects of colonization, The author must be a citizen the Oak Lake Field Station located amidst short-grass few people recognize that the Oceti Gabrielle Tateyuskanskan of an Oceti Sakowin nation. prairie and glacial lakes near Astoria, South Dakota. Every Authentic Sakowin have their own rich and Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Co-authored texts are not summer, tribal writers gather at the rustic field station for a TRIBE PROFESSION Educator, Poet and Artist eligible for consideration. complex literary traditions. In 2019, week-long writing retreat to discuss and write about Oceti SOCIETY MEMBER 1995 the Society compiled a list of nearly Sakowin cultures, languages, literatures, histories, politics Intergenerational Books must impart Oceti 200 books by Dakota, Lakota and and sovereignty. Joel Waters Transfer of Sakowin cultures, languages, Nakota writers that disprove and TRIBE Oglala Lakota histories and social values. Co-founded by Dakota writer and scholar Elizabeth Knowledge challenge this false assumption. PROFESSION Poet Cook-Lynn and South Dakota State University Professors SOCIETY MEMBER 2002 Books must protect and Charles Woodard and Lowell Amiotte, this first-of-its-kind Sovereignty defend tribal sovereignty tribal writers’ retreat provides an intellectual and creative Tasiyagnunpa Livermont and homelands. space for Oceti Sakowin writers to explore and express Barondeau issues and ideas relevant to their tribal communities. From Oglala Lakota Books must not romanticize, these annual retreats, Society members have originated TRIBE Challenges PROFESSION Journalist and Entrepreneur sensationalize, exploit or further and published multiple collections as well as individual SOCIETY MEMBER 2004 Stereotypes oppress Oceti Sakowin citizens. books, poems, short stories and essays. For more information about their publications and how to support Books must still be available their work, visit olws.squarespace.com. Accessible & in print. Books must be Readable accessible to a broad audience.

1 First Nations Development Institute • To obtain expanded content, including discussion guides, visit firstnations.org/NativeReads. First Nations Development Institute • To obtain expanded content, including discussion guides, visit firstnations.org/NativeReads. 2 ABOUT 2020 #NativeReads Selection Committee The selection committee is comprised of six members from the Society who volunteered or were selected to assist with this new national Indigenous reading campaign because of their expertise and For almost 40 years, First Nations First Nations is pleased to announce its commitment to preserving Development Institute (First Nations) has new Indigenous reading campaign called and perpetuating Dakota, supported and empowered tribes to reclaim #NativeReads to honor and celebrate Lakota and Nakota cultures control of their assets, including their own Indigenous writers from a specific tribe or and literatures. cultures, languages, histories, natural region. For more than 200 years, Native resources and economies. Recently, we have literatures have been shaped and influenced by begun to explore how Native Americans can individuals from outside our tribal communities. also recover their tribe’s intellectual property, First Nations firmly believes that it is time for MEMBERS ORDERED LEFT TO RIGHT ABOVE: The Selection Process & Criteria including creative assets such as oral stories, citizens of sovereign tribal nations to define and In 2019, Oceti Sakowin citizens were surveyed about the books print literature and art. articulate their own literary traditions. Sarah Hernandez, Ph.D. that are most important and impactful to their own tribal communities. A six-member selection committee was convened TRIBE Sicangu Lakota to read and review selected books. This publication includes PROFESSION Assistant Professor the selection committee's 10 recommendations from this list with SOCIETY MEMBER 2013 educational materials that are key sources for understanding early and contemporary Dakota, Lakota and Nakota people and For the inaugural year of ABOUT THE Lanniko Lee communities. Sarah Hernandez, Ph.D., wrote the content for this Miniconjou Lakota publication on behalf of the Society. #NativeReads, First Nations TRIBE Retired Educator – Literature PROFESSION The Society’s mission is to use writing to correct and challenge partnered with the Oak Lake Oak Lake Writers' Society 1993 SOCIETY MEMBER negative stereotypes about Dakota, Lakota and Nakota people Writers’ Society (Society) to increase and communities. To these ends, they developed the following Established in 1993, the Society is a supportive community Patty Bordeaux Nelson knowledge of and appreciation for of more than 30 Oceti Sakowin writers and scholars five standards to evaluate this year’s finalists and ensure that Sicangu Lakota these representations are positive, empowering reflections of Oceti Sakowin (Dakota, Lakota and committed to perpetuating Dakota, Lakota and Nakota TRIBE Retired Disabilities Advocate their rich cultural heritage: Nakota) literatures. Because of the cultures and literatures through the development of PROFESSION SOCIETY MEMBER 2008 culture-based writing. The Society’s name stems from devastating effects of colonization, The author must be a citizen the Oak Lake Field Station located amidst short-grass few people recognize that the Oceti Gabrielle Tateyuskanskan of an Oceti Sakowin nation. prairie and glacial lakes near Astoria, South Dakota. Every Authentic Sakowin have their own rich and Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Co-authored texts are not summer, tribal writers gather at the rustic field station for a TRIBE PROFESSION Educator, Poet and Artist eligible for consideration. complex literary traditions. In 2019, week-long writing retreat to discuss and write about Oceti SOCIETY MEMBER 1995 the Society compiled a list of nearly Sakowin cultures, languages, literatures, histories, politics Intergenerational Books must impart Oceti 200 books by Dakota, Lakota and and sovereignty. Joel Waters Transfer of Sakowin cultures, languages, Nakota writers that disprove and TRIBE Oglala Lakota histories and social values. Co-founded by Dakota writer and scholar Elizabeth Knowledge challenge this false assumption. PROFESSION Poet Cook-Lynn and South Dakota State University Professors SOCIETY MEMBER 2002 Books must protect and Charles Woodard and Lowell Amiotte, this first-of-its-kind Sovereignty defend tribal sovereignty tribal writers’ retreat provides an intellectual and creative Tasiyagnunpa Livermont and homelands. space for Oceti Sakowin writers to explore and express Barondeau issues and ideas relevant to their tribal communities. From Oglala Lakota Books must not romanticize, these annual retreats, Society members have originated TRIBE Challenges PROFESSION Journalist and Entrepreneur sensationalize, exploit or further and published multiple collections as well as individual SOCIETY MEMBER 2004 Stereotypes oppress Oceti Sakowin citizens. books, poems, short stories and essays. For more information about their publications and how to support Books must still be available their work, visit olws.squarespace.com. Accessible & in print. Books must be Readable accessible to a broad audience.

1 First Nations Development Institute • To obtain expanded content, including discussion guides, visit firstnations.org/NativeReads. 2 THE OCETI SAKOWIN A Storykeeping Timeline OUR 10 RECOMMENDED BOOKS Using the Society’s recommended criteria, the This timeline starts with oral traditions selection committee identified 10 books that and also documents the transition to are critical and foundational to understanding the English language literacy that was In 1819, Congress began a system of mission schools that Oceti Sakowin. These books have been organized mostly forced on the Oceti Sakowin evolved into government boarding schools situated far from into a storykeeping timeline that guides individuals through assimilationist policies like reservations. Boarding schools were intended to assimilate toward a broader understanding of Dakota, Lakota boarding schools that intended to Ella Deloria’s Waterlily Native children into the dominant culture by extinguishing and Nakota cultures, languages, histories and extinguish tribal cultures, languages is a fictional account of Native cultures, languages, politics. This timeline is not intended to be and voice. Despite these efforts, Teton life before white literatures and lifeways. 1800s to early 1900s encroachment. This comprehensive, but rather is a starting point to learn literacy gave rise to a voice previously Boarding School Era more about the Oceti Sakowin. For a bibliography of repressed in the historical American beautifully written novel nearly 200 Dakota, Lakota and Nakota books, please human experience. It is a voice that challenges negative stereotypes to provide an Between 1834 and 1881, missionaries published “the first visit the Society’s website at . self-identifies the Oceti Sakowin and olws.squarespace.com uplifting representation Dakota library” with the goal of Christianizing and civilizing their purposeful quest to preserve and of the Oceti Sakowin. the Oceti Sakowin. The library is a paradox that both helped revitalize their Indigenous histories, Deloria’s novel was preserve and drastically alter Dakota, Lakota and Nakota languages and lifeways. published posthumously languages and literatures. in 1988. 1863 1776 1805 Dakota are exiled from Sisitonwan (Sisseton) US Declaration First Treaty with traditional homelands in of Independence the Dakota present-day Minnesota Wahpekute Ihanktonwan (Wahpekute) (Yankton)

Oceti Sakowin Oyate “People of the Seven Council Fires” TIME IMMEMORIAL PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD SETTLER COLONIALISM Mdewakantonwan (Dakota/Lakota/Nakota) (Mdewakanton)

Since time immemorial, the Oceti Sakowin 1600s 1834 1862 have relied upon oral stories, histories, songs Fur traders arrive Missionaries arrive August – September Wahpetonwan Ihanktonwanna and traditions to sustain Dakota, Lakota and in Dakota Territory in Dakota Territory Dakota War (Wahpeton) (Yanktonai) Nakota cultures, languages and values. These Titonwan (Teton) important cultural practices still persist today, In 1804, Lewis and Clark led the first December 26 • 38 Dakota men are hanged GRAPHIC CREATED BY RUBEN HERNANDEZ (SICANGU LAKOTA) in both oral and written forms. American expedition westward. The in largest mass execution in US history expedition, often hailed as an We acknowledge and respect that these Oral stories – and the printed American triumph, had a devastating spellings might vary from tribe to tribe because stories that have emerged from of dialectical and orthographic differences. impact on the Oceti Sakowin. For them – are unique to each tribal perspectives on the expedition, Charles Eastman or Ohiyesa was one family and community. As a see This Stretch of the River by the of the first Dakota students to attend result, there are many variations Oak Lake Writers' Society. boarding school. During his lifetime, The Oceti Sakowin Oyate or “People he published more than a dozen of the Seven Council Fires” consists of of these oral stories. In The , Joseph Marshall III books about Oceti Sakowin culture seven tribes based on kinship, location Lakota Way shares 12 cultural and spiritual and history, including his 1911 book and dialect – Dakota, Lakota or Nakota. lessons that he learned from his The Soul of the Indian, which Today, there are many Oceti Sakowin Sicangu Lakota grandparents. focuses on Oceti Sakowin spirituality nations descended from the original seven pre-missionary contact. tribes. These tribal nations now reside in South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota and Montana in the United States and Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan in Canada. They each maintain their own cultures, languages, land bases and government structures. OCETI SAKOWIN ART BY GABRIELLE WYNDE TATEYUSKASKAN

3 First Nations Development Institute • To obtain expanded content, including discussion guides, visit firstnations.org/NativeReads. First Nations Development Institute • To obtain expanded content, including discussion guides, visit firstnations.org/NativeReads. 4 THE OCETI SAKOWIN A Storykeeping Timeline OUR 10 RECOMMENDED BOOKS Using the Society’s recommended criteria, the This timeline starts with oral traditions selection committee identified 10 books that and also documents the transition to are critical and foundational to understanding the English language literacy that was In 1819, Congress began a system of mission schools that Oceti Sakowin. These books have been organized mostly forced on the Oceti Sakowin evolved into government boarding schools situated far from into a storykeeping timeline that guides individuals through assimilationist policies like reservations. Boarding schools were intended to assimilate toward a broader understanding of Dakota, Lakota boarding schools that intended to Ella Deloria’s Waterlily Native children into the dominant culture by extinguishing and Nakota cultures, languages, histories and extinguish tribal cultures, languages is a fictional account of Native cultures, languages, politics. This timeline is not intended to be and voice. Despite these efforts, Teton life before white literatures and lifeways. 1800s to early 1900s encroachment. This comprehensive, but rather is a starting point to learn literacy gave rise to a voice previously Boarding School Era more about the Oceti Sakowin. For a bibliography of repressed in the historical American beautifully written novel nearly 200 Dakota, Lakota and Nakota books, please human experience. It is a voice that challenges negative stereotypes to provide an Between 1834 and 1881, missionaries published “the first visit the Society’s website at . self-identifies the Oceti Sakowin and olws.squarespace.com uplifting representation Dakota library” with the goal of Christianizing and civilizing their purposeful quest to preserve and of the Oceti Sakowin. the Oceti Sakowin. The library is a paradox that both helped revitalize their Indigenous histories, Deloria’s novel was preserve and drastically alter Dakota, Lakota and Nakota languages and lifeways. published posthumously languages and literatures. in 1988. 1863 1776 1805 Dakota are exiled from Sisitonwan (Sisseton) US Declaration First Treaty with traditional homelands in of Independence the Dakota present-day Minnesota Wahpekute Ihanktonwan (Wahpekute) (Yankton)

Oceti Sakowin Oyate “People of the Seven Council Fires” TIME IMMEMORIAL PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD SETTLER COLONIALISM Mdewakantonwan (Dakota/Lakota/Nakota) (Mdewakanton)

3 First Nations Development Institute • To obtain expanded content, including discussion guides, visit firstnations.org/NativeReads. 4 In 1953, Congress passed Public Law 83-280 to destroy the Lakota politically by eliminating their legal sovereignty. In Not Without Our Consent, Ed Valandra carefully documents Lakota resistance to termination. This book highlights In 1993, Cook-Lynn, Woodard and one of many examples of Indigenous resistance Amiotte established the Society to and self-determination in the 20th century. increase the number of Dakota, Lakota and Nakota writers publishing and 1945 – 1960 presenting in the Great Plains Region. In 2011, Layli Long Soldier published Termination and Relocation: The federal Whereas. In this book of poetry, Long 1887 government terminates recognition of more than 1970 – 1983 Soldier experiments with language (both The Dawes Act breaks up tribal lands 100 tribes as sovereign dependent nations, and Tribal colleges and universities are English and Lakota) and literary conventions and partitions them into individual encourages tribal members to relocate to urban established to serve Dakota, Lakota and (both oral and written) to critique settler plots of land, nearly destroying the areas for greater employment opportunities Nakota students in South Dakota, North colonialism, racism and misogyny. Oceti Sakowin’s culture and traditions Dakota, Minnesota, Montana and Nebraska 2015 In 1969, Vine Deloria, Jr., published Plans for the Dakota Access 1868 his seminal book Custer Died For 1970 Pipeline are approved against the Ft. Laramie Treaty Your Sins. During his lifetime, First Convocation of Native American Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s wishes establishes the Great Sioux 1899 Deloria published more than 20 Scholars helps establish Native American Reservation including Massacre at Wounded books on Native American cultures, Studies as an academic discipline 2004 ownership of the Black Knee killing 300 histories and politics. He is often Center for American Indian Research Hills. Black Hills is stolen Lakota men, women credited as one of the original 1973 and Native Studies and the Lakota from the Oceti Sakowin and children founders of Native American Studies. Wounded Knee Occupation Language Consortium are established

SETTLER COLONIALISM CONTINUED SOVEREIGNTY and SELF-DETERMINATION OUR FUTURE

1924 1969 1980 2005 2016 – 2017 Indian Citizen Act Passes. American Indians N. Scott Momaday wins the Pulitzer United States v. Sioux Nation of Dakota 38+2 Memorial #NoDAPL Movement are not declared U.S. Citizens until 1924 Prize. Mainstream literary scholars often Indians: The Oceti Sakowin reject Ride honors ancestors at Standing Rock label this moment as the start of the $1.3 billion for the Black Hills hanged in 1862 Native American Literary Renaissance In the 1920s and 1930s, In 1999, Lydia Whirlwind Soldier became Josephine Waggoner grew In 2019, Nick Estes published 1944 – 1980 the first Society member to publish a increasingly concerned that Oceti Our History is the Future, Pick-Sloan Plan floods and displaces five full-length book. In , Sakowin cultures and histories Memory Songs an award-winning book that Dakota/Lakota nations she re-imagines the oral tradition as were being lost as elders passed recounts 10 months of poetry to express what it means to away. To address this gap, she Indigenous resistance at have Lakol Wicoun, “the Lakota way of interviewed Dakota/Lakota Standing Rock. In 2016, In 1985, Elizabeth Cook-Lynn being.” Her book paved the way for chiefs, elders and historians. hundreds of tribal nations, co-founded The Wicazo Sa Review, other Society members to publish. In 2013, Waggoner’s family led by the Oceti Sakowin, one of the first Native American published her life’s work as came together in solidarity Studies journals. Over the next three Over the next 27 years, the Society the 824-page book Witness. to oppose the Dakota Access decades, she published more than a collectively published six volumes, including Pipeline and hundreds of years dozen Native American Studies He Sapa Woihanble: Black Hills Dream of injustice against Indigenous books, including Anti-Indianism in detailing the Oceti Sakowin’s profound people and communities. Modern America, a collection of spiritual relationships to He Sapa or the Black essays that expose and deconstruct Hills and speaking to the beauty and power recurring Native American of that land, as well as the painful history of stereotypes in art and politics. its appropriation by the United States.

5 First Nations Development Institute • To obtain expanded content, including discussion guides, visit firstnations.org/NativeReads. First Nations Development Institute • To obtain expanded content, including discussion guides, visit firstnations.org/NativeReads. 6 In 1953, Congress passed Public Law 83-280 to destroy the Lakota politically by eliminating their legal sovereignty. In Not Without Our Consent, Ed Valandra carefully documents Lakota resistance to termination. This book highlights In 1993, Cook-Lynn, Woodard and one of many examples of Indigenous resistance Amiotte established the Society to and self-determination in the 20th century. increase the number of Dakota, Lakota and Nakota writers publishing and 1945 – 1960 presenting in the Great Plains Region. In 2011, Layli Long Soldier published Termination and Relocation: The federal Whereas. In this book of poetry, Long 1887 government terminates recognition of more than 1970 – 1983 Soldier experiments with language (both The Dawes Act breaks up tribal lands 100 tribes as sovereign dependent nations, and Tribal colleges and universities are English and Lakota) and literary conventions and partitions them into individual encourages tribal members to relocate to urban established to serve Dakota, Lakota and (both oral and written) to critique settler plots of land, nearly destroying the areas for greater employment opportunities Nakota students in South Dakota, North colonialism, racism and misogyny. Oceti Sakowin’s culture and traditions Dakota, Minnesota, Montana and Nebraska 2015 In 1969, Vine Deloria, Jr., published Plans for the Dakota Access 1868 his seminal book Custer Died For 1970 Pipeline are approved against the Ft. Laramie Treaty Your Sins. During his lifetime, First Convocation of Native American Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s wishes establishes the Great Sioux 1899 Deloria published more than 20 Scholars helps establish Native American Reservation including Massacre at Wounded books on Native American cultures, Studies as an academic discipline 2004 ownership of the Black Knee killing 300 histories and politics. He is often Center for American Indian Research Hills. Black Hills is stolen Lakota men, women credited as one of the original 1973 and Native Studies and the Lakota from the Oceti Sakowin and children founders of Native American Studies. Wounded Knee Occupation Language Consortium are established

SETTLER COLONIALISM CONTINUED SOVEREIGNTY and SELF-DETERMINATION OUR FUTURE

5 First Nations Development Institute • To obtain expanded content, including discussion guides, visit firstnations.org/NativeReads. 6 2020 FEATURED BOOK 1 Discuss the links between colonization and climate change. How has the theft of Indigenous land and : water impacted the environment? What role do Our History is the Future Standing Rock versus the Dakota Indigenous people play in combating climate change? Why are Indigenous people well-equipped Access Pipeline, and the Long to help lead these efforts? Tradition of Indigenous Resistance by Nick Estes 2 Describe the Oceti Sakowin’s relationship with Mnisose/The Missouri River. How did the Lewis DISCUSSION and Clark Expedition, the Pick-Sloan project GUIDE and the Dakota Access Pipeline alter Dakota, Lakota To kick off this new Indigenous reading campaign, the Society and Nakota people’s relationship with the river? identified one book from their recommended list that readers This discussion guide was Furthermore, how did these three events could share and discuss in 2020 (although we recommend you designed to provide tools impact Oceti Sakowin’s culture, language, health read them all). The Society selected Nick Estes’s Our History and resources to help and environment? is the Future about the #NoDAPL Movement, the 10-month facilitate discussions about Indigenous resistance at Standing Rock. The committee Our History is the Future. selected Estes’s book because it is timely, relevant and In this book, Nick Estes examines several, treaties thought-provoking. Most importantly, it is firmly grounded 3 The complete discussion including the Treaty of Mendota, Treaty of Traverse in Oceti Sakowin cultures, histories and politics. guide is available at: des Sioux and Fort Laramie Treaties of 1851 and The following reading guide offers a brief summary and ﬁrstnations.org/NativeReads. 1868. Discuss these treaties and their impact on the analysis of Our History is the Future. We hope these tools Oceti Sakowin as a sovereign nation. How do these will inspire meaningful discussion of and engagement with treaties continue to impact Dakota, Lakota and the Oceti Sakowin. Nakota people today?

Book Summary 4 How did the Dakota Access Pipeline (re)unite the Oceti Sakowin? Why did so many other Indigenous The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s firm opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), an underground conduit that cuts across the Missouri River twice as it transports 450,000 barrels of crude oil a day from and non-Indigenous people and communities rally North Dakota to Illinois, thrust the river into public discourse in 2016. However, as Estes points out, behind the #NoDAPL movement? Discuss the Mnisose/The Missouri River has been a source of contention between tribal and federal governments benefits, challenges and lessons learned from this for more than two hundred years, beginning with the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the 19th Century, followed by the Pick-Sloan Missouri River Basin Project in the 20th Century, and most recently the important social movement. #NoDAPL Movement in the 21st Century.

In Our History is the Future, Estes closely examines “Standing Rock was not a moment. 5 Examine the structure of Our History is the Future. this latest example of settler colonialism and the many It was a movement and it’s part of Why did Estes decide to explore the #NoDAPL people and events that prepared the Oceti Sakowin the long intellectual and political to lead this new movement of Indigenous resistance. movement alongside other anti-colonial, tradition of our people,” says Estes. anti-capitalist struggles? What was the most In the aptly titled Our History is the Future, Estes honors this tradition and promotes the surprising fact that you learned from this book? intergenerational transfer of Indigenous knowledge by acknowledging the many Dakota, Lakota and What was its moment of greatest impact? Nakota storytellers, writers and scholars that preceded him. In fact, he cites every single writer that appears in the Society’s list of recommended reading. The Society commends Estes’s tribally-centered book for celebrating the knowledge and wisdom of his ancestors, and also empowering a new NICK ESTES generation of tribal youth to advocate for their people and communities.

7 First Nations Development Institute • To obtain expanded content, including discussion guides, visit firstnations.org/NativeReads. First Nations Development Institute • To obtain expanded content, including discussion guides, visit firstnations.org/NativeReads. 8 THE OCETI SAKOWIN 1 Discuss the links between colonization and climate Using the Society’s recommended criteria, the This timeline starts with oral traditions change. How has the theft of Indigenous land and selection committee identified 10 books that and also documents the transition to are critical and foundational to understanding the English language literacy that was water impacted the environment? What role do Oceti Sakowin. These books have been organized mostly forced on the Oceti Sakowin Indigenous people play in combating climate into a storykeeping timeline that guides individuals through assimilationist policies like change? Why are Indigenous people well-equipped toward a broader understanding of Dakota, Lakota boarding schools that intended to to help lead these efforts? and Nakota cultures, languages, histories and extinguish tribal cultures, languages politics. This timeline is not intended to be and voice. Despite these efforts, comprehensive, but rather is a starting point to learn literacy gave rise to a voice previously more about the Oceti Sakowin. For a bibliography of repressed in the historical American 2 Describe the Oceti Sakowin’s relationship with nearly 200 Dakota, Lakota and Nakota books, please human experience. It is a voice that Mnisose/The Missouri River. How did the Lewis visit the Society’s website at olws.squarespace.com. self-identifies the Oceti Sakowin and DISCUSSION and Clark Expedition, the Pick-Sloan project their purposeful quest to preserve and GUIDE revitalize their Indigenous histories, and the Dakota Access Pipeline alter Dakota, Lakota languages and lifeways. and Nakota people’s relationship with the river? This discussion guide was Furthermore, how did these three events designed to provide tools impact Oceti Sakowin’s culture, language, health Sisitonwan (Sisseton) and resources to help and environment? Wahpekute Ihanktonwan facilitate discussions about (Yankton) (Wahpekute) Our History is the Future. 3 In this book, Nick Estes examines several treaties, Oceti Sakowin Oyate The complete discussion including the Treaty of Mendota, Treaty of Traverse “People of the Seven Council Fires” TIME IMMEMORIAL guide is available at: des Sioux and Fort Laramie Treaties of 1851 and Mdewakantonwan (Dakota/Lakota/Nakota) (Mdewakanton) ﬁrstnations.org/NativeReads. 1868. Discuss these treaties and their impact on the Oceti Sakowin as a sovereign nation. How do these treaties continue to impact Dakota, Lakota and Since time immemorial, the Oceti Sakowin have relied upon oral stories, histories, songs Nakota people today? Wahpetonwan Ihanktonwanna and traditions to sustain Dakota, Lakota and (Wahpeton) (Yanktonai) Nakota cultures, languages and values. These Titonwan important cultural practices still persist today, (Teton) 4 How did the Dakota Access Pipeline (re)unite the GRAPHIC CREATED BY RUBEN HERNANDEZ (SICANGU LAKOTA) in both oral and written forms. Oceti Sakowin? Why did so many other Indigenous We acknowledge and respect that these Oral stories – and the printed and non-Indigenous people and communities rally spellings might vary from tribe to tribe because stories that have emerged from of dialectical and orthographic differences. behind the #NoDAPL movement? Discuss the them – are unique to each family and community. As a benefits, challenges and lessons learned from this The Oceti Sakowin Oyate or “People result, there are many variations important social movement. of the Seven Council Fires” consists of of these oral stories. In The , Joseph Marshall III seven tribes based on kinship, location Lakota Way shares 12 cultural and spiritual and dialect – Dakota, Lakota or Nakota. lessons that he learned from his 5 Examine the structure of Our History is the Future. Today, there are many Oceti Sakowin Sicangu Lakota grandparents. Why did Estes decide to explore the #NoDAPL nations descended from the original seven tribes. These tribal nations now reside in movement alongside other anti-colonial, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, anti-capitalist struggles? What was the most Minnesota and Montana in the United surprising fact that you learned from this book? States and Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan in Canada. They each What was its moment of greatest impact? maintain their own cultures, languages,

land bases and government structures. NICK ESTES OCETI SAKOWIN ART BY GABRIELLE WYNDE TATEYUSKASKAN

3 First Nations Development Institute • To obtain expanded content, including discussion guides, visit firstnations.org/NativeReads. 8 Author Biography & Author Interview Nick Estes is a citizen of the Lower Brule Sioux First Nations’ new national “Everyone knows the Oceti Sakowin, but nobody really knows us Tribe. He is an Assistant Professor in the reading campaign seeks to like the Oceti Sakowin [know themselves]. You can’t write a history American Studies Department at the University honor and celebrate Indigenous about Russia without having understood the values and customs of of New Mexico. In 2014, he co-founded writers from a speciﬁc tribe the people who make Russia, so why would you expect that to be different for Indigenous people? Oceti Sakowin authors come The Red Nation, an Indigenous resistance or region. What makes from a long writing tradition, dating back to at least the 19th Oceti Sakowin writers and organization. For 2017-2018, Estes was the century. So we’ve been writing and telling our own stories for over storytellers so unique? Why is American Democracy Fellow at the Charles two centuries now. It’s about time that we have control over those it important for these writers Warren Center for Studies in American History stories and that we recognize our storytellers, whether they are to tell their own stories? at Harvard University. His research engages through the oral tradition or through writing.” colonialism and global Indigenous histories, with a focus on decolonization, oral history, U.S. imperialism, environmental justice, What Oceti Sakowin writers “Elizabeth Cook-Lynn is a figure that exists in my mind when I write. Her voice actually helps me edit and clarify my own voice. Also, of

NICK ESTES anti-capitalism and the Oceti Sakowin. have shaped and inﬂuenced your own writing and scholarship? course Vine Deloria Jr. is a writer who sticks out prominently in my

NICK with ELIZABETH mind when I’m writing because those two individuals represent PHOTO COURTESY OF MARNIE COOK the best of our tradition of Lakota and Dakota writers.”

How has the Oak Lake Writers‘ “I read This Stretch of the River when it first came out. I needed a “The Oak Lake Writers owe Elizabeth Cook-Lynn a huge debt that can Society shaped and inﬂuenced way to talk about the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial, and didn’t have never be fully paid. Elizabeth's career was committed to the your writing and scholarship? any resources as a young person, so it helped me think through In your opinion, what are what that meant to the Lakota people – to celebrate a conquest development of Native Studies as a serious academic discipline. Her this group’s most signiﬁcant narrative. Later I encountered He Sapa Woihanble/Black Hills tireless defense of ancestral knowledge, aboriginal territory and Oyate contributions to Native Dream, which offers a way to think through our relationship to land and sacred sites like the Black Hills. ways of being is demonstrated through her literary canon. She American Studies and challenged us to express the necessary truth of our experiences. It is other disciplines? What’s problematic about contemporary history on Indigenous people is that it’s often written solely from the perspective of through her generosity of spirit, encouragement and influence as a long- non-Indigenous people, interpreting our histories to us. Oak Lake time mentor to the Oak Lake Writers that she has been a good relative, should be at the forefront of these conversations, and they are not. instructor, defender and guide to us as tribal writers.“ Instead, our books don’t sell very well – not as well as mainstream

GRATITUDE publishers or mainstream historians do because we tell a story that — Gabrielle Wynde Tateyuskanskan isn’t palatable to the American mythology of innocence and exceptionalism. We tell a historically grounded, narrative-based story in the culture and the politics of our nations.”

THE RED NATION PODCAST Do you have any advice or Keep writing. Own your voice. recommendations for aspiring “ ” The Red Nation Podcast features interviews, Oceti Sakowin writers talks and short audio documentaries about or scholars? politics, culture and history from an Indigenous left perspective. For more information about The Red Nation, visit therednation.org. To read Estes's full interview, visit ﬁrstnations.org/NativeReads.

9 First Nations Development Institute • To obtain expanded content, including discussion guides, visit firstnations.org/NativeReads. First Nations Development Institute • To obtain expanded content, including discussion guides, visit firstnations.org/NativeReads. 10 Author Biography & Author Interview Nick Estes is a citizen of the Lower Brule Sioux First Nations’ new national “Everyone knows the Oceti Sakowin, but nobody really knows us Tribe. He is an Assistant Professor in the reading campaign seeks to like the Oceti Sakowin [know themselves]. You can’t write a history American Studies Department at the University honor and celebrate Indigenous about Russia without having understood the values and customs of of New Mexico. In 2014, he co-founded writers from a speciﬁc tribe the people who make Russia, so why would you expect that to be different for Indigenous people? Oceti Sakowin authors come The Red Nation, an Indigenous resistance or region. What makes from a long writing tradition, dating back to at least the 19th Oceti Sakowin writers and organization. For 2017-2018, Estes was the century. So we’ve been writing and telling our own stories for over storytellers so unique? Why is American Democracy Fellow at the Charles two centuries now. It’s about time that we have control over those it important for these writers Warren Center for Studies in American History stories and that we recognize our storytellers, whether they are to tell their own stories? at Harvard University. His research engages through the oral tradition or through writing.” colonialism and global Indigenous histories, with a focus on decolonization, oral history, U.S. imperialism, environmental justice, What Oceti Sakowin writers “Elizabeth Cook-Lynn is a figure that exists in my mind when I write. Her voice actually helps me edit and clarify my own voice. Also, of

NICK ESTES anti-capitalism and the Oceti Sakowin. have shaped and inﬂuenced your own writing and scholarship? course Vine Deloria Jr. is a writer who sticks out prominently in my

NICK with ELIZABETH mind when I’m writing because those two individuals represent PHOTO COURTESY OF MARNIE COOK the best of our tradition of Lakota and Dakota writers.”

9 First Nations Development Institute • To obtain expanded content, including discussion guides, visit firstnations.org/NativeReads. 10 CALL TO ACTION

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