Pte Oyate
The Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota (Sioux) Indians used the buffalo for food. They also used it for clothing and shelter. Because the buffalo was so important, it had a special place in their religion. An old story tells that the Indians once lived underground. They called themselves Pte Oyate, or the Buffalo Nation. One day, they came to the surface to live. Here, life was hard. A holy man named Tatanka came to them as a buffalo. He gave the people everything they needed. Today, one Indian name for the buffalo is tatanka. The buffalo was a huge part of Native American life. Native American's hunted the buffalo which was no small feat. However, they were responsible in the use of the carcass. In fact, they were very resourceful and use every part of the animal. Nothing was left to waste.
|