The History and Culture of the Spirit Lake Dakota
The Sacred Hoop (Canhdeska Wakan) known by some as the Medicine Wheel, is divided into four segments starting with the East (Wiyohipata) the color ZI (yellow) for the first rays of the sun, circling South (Itokaga) Sa (Red), for the heat of the summer, then West (Wiyohpeyata) Sapa (Black) for the color of the sky before a storm, and ending in the North (Waziyata) Ska (white), for the snow. The Sacred Hoop symbolizes unity, is the first use of the number four. The Creator (Otokahe Kaga) made Rock (Inyan), the oldest Spirit is addressed as Tunkansina (Grandfather). The Creator made four elements that we can’t live without, take away any one of these and we cannot exist. These four are Earth (Maka), Air (Ni), Water (Mini), and Fire (Peta).
We can travel though out the heavens and the land, where we find the use of the number four. The creatures of the earth are Crawlers (Sdohanpi), Swimmers (Nuwanpi), Flyers (Kinyanpi) and Walkers (Manipi). In the heavens we find the Sun (Wi), Moon (Hanwi), Stars (Wicanhpi), and Planets (Wicanhpi Omani). Round and round we go, always traveling clockwise.
Four Seasons, Spring (Wetu), Summer (Bdoketu), Fall (Ptanyetu), and Winter (Waniyetu). Four stages of water; one go, four times of the day, four stages of life, four smoke medicines, four types of Holy men and women, and the four winds. Always moving on we go, never stopping, round and round. Because the Sacred Hoop is always traveling, the Dakota are taught that if you help another, someone will help you. The Creator is all wise, knows everything. He even created Iya the Glutton and Unktomni the Spider to keep everything in order, to teach right from wrong. The Creator is known as Tob Tob kin (the four, fours [equals 16 Spirits).
When you say Damakota (I am Dakota), remember what you are saying, I will not beak the Sacred Hoop. Everything moves in a circle, The Drum is the Heartbeat of the Dakota, the dance, and the tipi floor are all round. There are very few things that have a corner in nature. We never forget, as mentioned before, do something good for another, that goodness travels around, then someone will do something good for you or to you.
