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~ Indian Chief ~

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Artwork by Prindiville
 
 
 
 

Welcome to the Sioux Poet Poetry Site

 

Hau Kola (Greetings Friend) and Native American enthusiast. Welcome to my Native American poetry website.

The Sioux (Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota) and all Native Americans have a spiritual past, present, and future, they are people of the earth, respecting Mother Earth. They pride their self on rich traditions in their beliefs and experiences.

The Sioux (Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota) and the many of its historical and important events have been instrumental and influential in all of my poetry and writings. 

I pursue integrating a traditional and contemporary style into my Native poetry and hope to capture the essence of the culture.

Not only did I create this site for my poetry, but I designed it to be informative and educational for all of the Native American communities and to all the others who support the Native American beliefs and traditions.
 
Mentioned below is a brief summary of the Sioux (Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota) culture and history and several motivational quotes and wisdom. There are so many stories and events to be told, but it would take a lifetime to chronicle them. Included throughout the site are inspirational pictures and quotes, for more information on Sioux (Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota) beliefs and symbolism, you can click here, or you can visit the Sioux Culture page.

I am a member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe. The poems presented here are just several selections from my Native American poetry library. Listed below are poems that I chose and wrote exclusively for this site. Additionally, I have added a Guest Poet page:

Poem Page One: Tradition of Survival - Sioux Warrior

Poem Page Two: LAKOTA SIOUX - Sioux Prayer of Gratitude

Poem Page Three: Tatanka 

Poem Page Four: A Wolf Prayer - I am Wolf  

Tribute Poem: Speak of Me


To view my poetry and other information, click on the poem or navigation links. 
 
Don't forget to sign my Guestbook!

I am now on Facebook, so please come visit! Click on Facebook link below!
 
 
 

The Sioux Poet is Now on Facebook - Click Here

 

Poetic Crossings: Empowerment

“Tribal Dreams”

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Copyright © 2009 Marco Nereo Rotelli

 

In September 2009 I collaborated with and joined world renowned Italian artist Marco Nereo Rotelli in his "Poetic Crossings" project in a an exhibit at Denver’s Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) which involved combining poetry and art to symbolize cultural empowerment. 150 children from the primary grades of Denver's Mathematics and Science Leadership Academy translated my Native American poetry by painting on a 40 yard piece of canvas which was later displayed in the art gallery of Philip J. Steele along with 30 of Marco’s paintings. Some of his paintings included words from my poems.

 

This was an amazing honor and I was very humbled by being an active participant in this unique and inspirational event. I had written a poem titled “Tribal Dreams” for the "Poetic Crossings" project and this became the theme for the canvas painting project at the elementary school. For more information and pictures about the event, click on the "Poetic Crossings" link.

 

I graciously accepted Marco's invitation of joining his vision of empowerment, I felt that cultures of the world can live and work together as one. I acknowledge the significance of how children need to be educated about becoming a citizen of empowerment, a citizen of the world, to be positive throughout their lives, and the fact  that they can make a difference in the world.  Marco created videos about his empowering and inspiring "Poetic Crossings" event and you can view these motivating and artistic video images by clicking on the links below:

 

Children's Poetry - The World's Longest Picture - Marco Nereo Rotelli

 

Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design - Marco Nereo Rotelli


 The Sioux (Dakota, Nakota, & Lakota) Culture


 

Frequently considered as one Native American tribe, the Sioux were and are still an association of several Siouan groups, the Dakota, the Lakota, and the Nakota. The Sioux name was originated from the Ojibwa word for them, which was translated into French as "Nadouessioux" ("Adders" or "enemies"). Hence, the name was shortened to Sioux, which was later conveyed into the English language.

The history and aura of the culture are known world-wide, the countless incidents that involved them unwillingly and willingly incurred controversial and defining outcomes in U.S. and Native American history, many of these events have and still to this day encompass much intrigue and unresolved issues.   

For centuries, the Siouan people followed the herds of the buffalo (tatanka). Tatanka provided all the necessities of food and shelter which was vital to their survival. Prayers of gratitude and foregiveness were said before and after the hunt to Grandfather and to tatankaTatanka was and still is regarded as the symbol of life.

The religion was and still is centered on Wakan Tanka, the Great Spirit or Grandfather. It consists of beliefs that everything has its own spirit and that it could embody itself in distinctive ways. To live in harmony with all beings is the intended purpose in everyday life. Prayers to the Great Spirit or Grandfather were and are said on a daily basis.

Mother Earth and her abundance was and still is well-respected and considered sacred. All living things had and have important roles in their daily life and ceremonies. The buffalo, the wolf, the eagle, and the bear were very significant in their culture as well as other creatures.

Beliefs of the Siouan culture are that in the spiritual and physical world, animals are one that is with you for life. Every animal represents characteristics and important meanings in the culture. Many tribe members were named after animals and were sometimes later identified with different ones throughout their lifetime.

 

Symbolically, the number four and the circle are very important in the Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota culture, as well in almost every Native American culture; The Four Elements: earth, air, fire, and water, The Four Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, and The Four Directions: north, south, east, and west. The journey of life and death was and still is considered as a circular process, even the foundation of the homes (tipis) of past generations were configured and built in a circular formation.

The Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota were lead by great chiefs who had proven their worth as hunters, warriors, and leaders. They demonstrated  wisdom, devotion, and strength during times of peace and in times of war. Some of the great chiefs included Crazy Horse, Red Cloud and Sitting Bull.


The Great Sioux (Lakota - Dakota) Chiefs

 
Crazy Horse 1845 - 1877

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"A very great vision is needed and the man who has it must follow it as the eagle seeks the deepest blue of the sky" - Crazy Horse

 
 
Red Cloud 1822 - 1909

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"All I want is right and just" - Red Cloud
 
 

 

Sitting Bull 1831 - 1890

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"If a man loses anything and goes back and looks carefully for it, he will find it" - Sitting Bull

 

 

 

Sioux Wisdom & Quotes


  ~ Wisdom ~

There was a time when the land was sacred, 
and the ancient ones were as one with it.
A time when only the children of the Great Spirit
were here to light their fires in these places with no boundaries...
In that time, when there were only simple ways,
I saw with my heart the conflicts to come,
and whether it was to be for good or bad,
what was certain was that there would be change.

-The Great Spirit-

Instructions for Living - Lakota

Friend do it this way - that is,
whatever you do in life,
do the very best you can
with both your heart and mind.

And if you do it that way,
the Power Of The Universe
will come to your assistance,
if your heart and mind are in Unity.

When one sits in the Hoop Of The People,
one must be responsible because
All of Creation is related.
And the hurt of one is the hurt of all.
And the honor of one is the honor of all.
And whatever we do effects everything in the universe.

If you do it that way - that is,
if you truly join your heart and mind
as One - whatever you ask for,
that's the Way It's Going To Be.


- Spoken wisdom by White Buffalo Calf Woman -

 

~ Quotes ~

With all things and in all things, we are relatives. - Oglala Sioux

 

To touch the earth is to have harmony with nature. - Oglala Sioux

Everything the power does, it does in a circle. - Lakota

When a man moves away from nature his heart becomes hard. - Lakota

A people without a history is like the wind over buffalo grass. - Oglala Sioux

Knowledge is rooted in all things -- the world is a library. - Lakota

We will be known forever by the tracks we leave. - Dakota

The frog does not drink up the pond in which he lives. - Sioux

If you continue to contaminate your home, you will eventually suffocate in your own waste. - Lakota

 

~ Native Ten Commandments ~

1) Treat the Earth and all that dwell therein with respect.

 

2) Remain close to the Great Spirit

 

3) Show great respect for your fellow beings

 

4) Work together for the benefit of all Mankind

 

5) Give assistance and kindness wherever needed

 

6) Do what you know to be right

 

7) Look after the well-being of Mind and Body

 

8) Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater Good

 

9) Be truthful and honest at all times

 

10) Take full responsibility for your actions

 

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Even our physical bodies cannot contain us, because our spirits can step out of our bodies and spirit travel. We dream and vision and have fantastic thoughts. This begins while we are still children. - Frank Fools Crow, Sioux (Lakota) Ceremonial Chief -
                          

~ Guestbook ~

 

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~ Please Vote For Me ~

 

 
Copyright © 2007-2022 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of any poem or personal pictures on this site, or its contents, in any form is strictly prohibited. All "Tribal Dreams" artwork is property of Marco Nereo Rotelli, it cannot be used without his written permission.
 
Designed and created by Darren M. Grine 
 
Contact: E-mail
 
I would like to thank the following for their graphics:
 

Special Thanks:

Background music by the talented and inspirational Native American artist:
-Calling Of The Drums-

 Danuwa is a World Renowned Native Flute Artist and Branch Flutemaker

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For more information about Danuwa and his flutes, click on picture.





Last Update

2/1/2022




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