The Movement of the Lakota Sioux
Watch and listen to the following story.
Goal:
Goal:
The Movement of the Lakota Sioux
My name is Nata Suta; this means “Hard Head.” I was named that as I am thought to have a strong will. My mother said that when I was younger some older children of the tribe wished to see if they could move me, so they threw little stones at me. Some missed, some hit me, some even hit my head, but I am told I would not move but would only sit and frown at them. They were proud of my strength it is said, and since that day they have called me “Nata Suta.”
As much as I could not be moved when I was young, so my whole tribe must leave our home now. The buffalo has moved on, and so must we. I think this is good for me at least, for my mother worries that my will is too strong, that someday I might turn into the red rock that lies under our feet and all around us. It, too, is immoveable. So, she says, I must learn to move as others do.
Our tribe has had to sacrifice much without the buffalo. Once we had enough meat to fill all of our bellies, and skins and leather to keep us warm. Now we must divide what little we have. The very young and very old must eat first: yesterday I went without so that my sister might share more. I am grateful, for hunger keeps my thinking clear. Because we have little skins to spare, new teepees cannot be made. Those who need them must wait until we find the herd, or they must share with others. We do not mind, for sharing keeps us warm at night. Sometimes I stare at the stars and wonder how our new home will be. We must move to follow the herds. This is how we live. We will take with us the grain that we have, and find a new way to live. This I do now. Wherever I go, I bring my tribe with me. That is enough.