Oglala facts for kids

For other uses, see Oglala (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids
Oglala
Oglála Lakhóta Oyáte

Total population
46,855 enrolled tribal members (2013)
Regions with significant populations
United States ( South Dakota)
Languages
Lakota, English
Religion
Traditional tribal religion, Sun Dance, Native American Church, Christianity
Related ethnic groups
other Lakota peoples, Dakota, Nakota

The Oglala (pronounced "oh-guh-LAH-lah") are an important group of Native American people. Their name means "to scatter one's own" in the Lakota language. They are one of the seven main groups, or subtribes, of the Lakota people.

The Lakota, along with the Dakota, form a larger group called the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, which means "Seven Council Fires." Most Oglala people live today on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. This reservation is one of the largest Native American reservations in the United States.

The Oglala are officially recognized by the United States government. Their official name is the Oglala Lakota Nation. They were once called the "Oglala Sioux Tribe." However, many Oglala people prefer not to use the word "Sioux." This is because some believe it might have come from a word meaning "snake" in the language of the Ojibwe, who were historical rivals. The Oglala are also known as Oglála Lakhóta Oyáte.

History of the Oglala People
- Early Encounters with European Settlers
- Life on the Early Reservation
Oglala Social Organization
- Community Groups (Tiyóšpaye)
- Population Growth
Oglala Culture and Traditions
- Historical Gender Roles
The Oglala Flag
Notable Oglala People
See also

History of the Oglala People

Oglala elders share stories about how their name came to be. They also tell how their group became distinct, likely in the 1700s.

Early Encounters with European Settlers

In the early 1800s, more and more Europeans and Americans traveled through Lakota lands. They were looking for animal furs, especially beaver and later bison furs. This fur trade changed how the Oglala lived and earned a living.

In 1868, the United States signed a peace agreement, the Fort Laramie Treaty, with the Great Sioux Nation. After this treaty, the Oglala people had different ideas about how to deal with Americans moving onto their land. This treaty meant the Oglala gave up large parts of their land and rights to the U.S. government. In return, they received food and other supplies.

Some Lakota groups went to "Indian agencies" for food from the U.S. government. These agencies later helped manage Indian reservations. Other groups chose to keep their traditional ways of life. Many Lakota groups moved between these two ways. They would go to the agencies in winter and join relatives in the north each spring. These challenges caused more divisions among the different Oglala groups.

Life on the Early Reservation

The Great Sioux Reservation was later divided into five smaller parts. Because of this, the Red Cloud Agency moved several times in the 1870s. It was finally moved and renamed the Pine Ridge Reservation in 1878. By 1890, about 5,537 people lived on the reservation. They were spread across many districts, forming about 30 different communities.

Oglala Social Organization

Sarah Eagle Heart (Oglala Lakota), an award-winning producer, author, and activist

The Wake Singers, a band of Oglala Lakota musicians

A respected Oglala elder named Left Heron once explained the importance of community. He said that before the White Buffalo Calf Woman came, people lived like "wild animals." She brought the Sacred Pipe to the tribe. She also taught the Lakota people many valuable lessons. These included the importance of family (tiwahe) and community (tiyospaye).

Promoting these two values became very important. As Dakota anthropologist Ella Cara Deloria said, "every other consideration was secondary." This meant things like property, personal goals, or even life itself were less important. This strong connection between related families greatly shaped Oglala history.

Community Groups (Tiyóšpaye)

Dr. John J. Saville, a U.S. Indian agent at the Red Cloud Agency, noticed something in 1875. He saw that the Oglala tribe was divided into three main groups: the Kiyuksa, the Oyuȟpe, and the True Oglala. Each of these main groups was then split into smaller parties. These smaller groups were usually named after their chief or leader.

When the Oglala settled on the Pine Ridge Reservation in the late 1870s, their communities were likely organized like this:

Oyuȟpe Tiyóšpaye

True Oyuȟpe (Big Road's band). Other members included: Black Elk.
Wakaŋ
Makaicu (Red Dog's band)

Oglala Tiyóšpaye

True Oglala
Caŋkahuȟaŋ (He Dog's band). Other members included: Short Bull; Amos Bad Heart Bull.
Hokayuta (Black Twin's band)
Huŋkpatila (Little Hawk and Crazy Horse's band)
Ité šíčA (Red Cloud's band)
Payabya (Young Man Afraid of His Horses's band)
Wagluȟe (Chief Blue Horse, American Horse and Three Bear's band)

Kiyaksa Tiyóšpaye

True Kiyaksa
Kuinyan (Little Wound's band)
Tapišleca (Yellow Bear's band)

Population Growth

By 1830, the Oglala people had about 3,000 members. In the 1820s and 1830s, the Oglala joined with the Brulé, another Lakota group, and three other Sioux groups. Together, they formed the Sioux Alliance. This Alliance fought surrounding tribes to gain more land and better hunting areas.

Oglala Culture and Traditions

Historical Gender Roles

Historically, women were very important to family life. They made almost everything used by the family and tribe. They grew and prepared many different crops. They also prepared game and fish. Women worked animal skins to make clothing, shoes, and storage bags. They also made the coverings for tipis and other items. Women traditionally managed the food, resources, and movable property. They also owned the family's home.

In Oglala Lakota society, men usually handled the tribe's political matters. Men were often the chiefs for political issues, war leaders, warriors, and hunters. Traditionally, when a man married, he would go to live with his wife's family.

The Oglala Flag

The Oglala flag, used since 1961

The Oglala flag has a red background. This red color stands for the blood shed by the Sioux people. It represents their fight to protect their lands and their identity as "red men." In the center, there is a circle of eight white tipis. The tops of the tipis point outward. Each tipi represents one of the eight districts of the reservation: Porcupine, Wakpammi, Medicine Root, Pass Creek, Eagle Nest, White Clay, LaCreek, and Wounded Knee.

When the flag is used indoors or in parades, it often has a deep-blue fringe. This blue color adds the colors of the United States to the design. The flag was first shown at the Sun Dance ceremonies in 1961. It was officially adopted on March 9, 1962. Over time, this flag has become very well-known. It is now often seen at Native American powwows, not just Sioux gatherings. It is sometimes even flown as a general Native American flag.

Notable Oglala People

American Horse "The Younger"

Ola Mildred Rexroat, the only Native American pilot in the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP)

Leaders

Athletes

Billy Mills, an Olympic champion in 1964 for the 10,000-meter race
Teton Saltes, a professional football player who signed with the New York Jets in 2021
SuAnne Big Crow, a basketball player for Pine Ridge High School

Performers

Albert Afraid of Hawk – He was a member of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. He passed away and was buried in Danbury, Connecticut, while on tour in 1900. His remains were later moved back to the Pine Ridge Reservation in 2012.

Culinary Activists

Sean Sherman (Pine Ridge, South Dakota), co-author of The Sioux Chef's Indigenous Kitchen