In Dakota life family was everything. The Dakotas depended on their relatives for protection. They expected brothers, uncles, cousins, and nephews to stand by them in times of trouble. They were rarely disappointed. Even if there were grudges among families, bad feelings were usually put aside when unity required it.

Because of this Dakota children knew and acknowledged very distant relatives. Names were often passed down from father to son.

Considering the close family ties, it was well known that a person who had many and powerful relatives could not be treated poorly or insulted without retribution.