Some Facts About Local Dakota History and Culture
Buffalo Summer by Urshel Taylor	Names - Historical Figures

Home Some Facts Children's Tutorial Meetings Newsletters Local Place Names Recommended Resources Contact us	Names To the Dakota people, the name Dakota (or Lakota and Nakota) means "friends" or "allies." The term Sioux means "snake," a name given to the Dakota Nation by the Ojibwe, their traditional enemies. The Dakota Nation is comprised of a number of subtribes. Those in Minnesota include the Mdewakanton, Wahpeton, Sisseton, and Wahpekute, known as a group as the Santee (or Eastern) Dakota. West of Minnesota were the Yanktons and Yanktonais, and beyond the Missouri River were the Tetons, divided into seven bands. Historical Figures The following is a small selection of some of the more noteworthy historical figures that have survived through the written record. Most are known today for the Minnesota cities that bear their names. Samuel W. Pond, writing in his book "The Dakota or Sioux in Minnesota As They Were in 1834," explains how Dakota Chiefs came by their position within the tribe through heredity, not necessarily through superior abilities. Thus, there were at times others in the band who were more capable and often held more influence over the people than the chiefs. He notes that often times Dakota chiefs acted more as guides to their people rather than true leaders. Pond knew personally most of the chiefs he discusses in his book, freely expressing his opinions as to the quality of their character. If he did not know a given individual well, we admitted such. Ishtahkba (Sleepy Eyes) - Chief He was only acknowledged chief of the Wahpetonwan band (circa 1834) from St. Lawrence to Lac qui Parle. "Sleepy Eye lived in summer near Swan Lake, but was often at Traverse des Sioux. He appeared to be a thoughtful, prudent man, of placid temper and good understanding. He was called a good chief and was respected by his white acquaintance, but the people who were accounted his were so scattered that he could exercise little authority over them, and the inhabitants of each little village were left to manage their own affairs in their own way."—Samuel W. Pond Wakuta (Red Wing) - Chief Pond writes that Wakuta, of Reg Wing, "was a man not likely to be soon forgotten by those who were acquainted with him. His personal appearance was remarkably prepossessing, and his mental abilities would have commanded respect among any people. He was generally mild in his manners, but very decided in his opinions, and opposition only stirred him up to act with more firmness and determination. He was, on the whole, such a man as one would much rather have for a friend than an enemy."—Samuel W. Pond Wapasha (Wabasha) - Chief A man well respected by both Indians and whites alike, he was chief of the Dakota band around the Lake Pepin area. Along with many of his people, Chief Wabasha died of smallpox in the summer of 1836.
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