Our Seven Lakota Values

Historical black and white photo of Native American individuals with an American flag.

Fortitude – Wowačíŋtaŋka

Fortitude is mental or emotional strength and courage. It allows individuals to encounter danger, endure pain, or face adversity with resilience and a steadfast spirit.

Group of children outdoors with bikes and toys.

Generosity – Wačáŋtognaka

Generosity is the quality of being liberal, open-handed, and unselfish in giving to others. It goes beyond sharing material possessions like money or goods. It involves freely dedicating one's time, skills, emotional support, and attention to enhance the well-being and happiness of those around them.

Group of women and baby posing outdoors in casual summer clothes.

Kinship – Wótakuye

Kinship refers to a web of social relationships formed by family ties (descent and marriage) and close social bonds. It is a foundational concept in both anthropology and sociology, defining how individuals are connected to one another within a culture

Vibrant sunset with purple and orange hues.

Prayer – Wóčekiya

Prayer is the act of communicating with a higher power, deity, or the divine. It typically takes the form of a focused dialogue used to express gratitude, seek guidance, confess wrongdoing, or make requests. It is practiced in countless ways across different cultures and traditions.

Respect – Waóhola

Respect is valuing others' thoughts, feelings, and boundaries, treating them with the same consideration you would expect for yourself. It is the foundation of healthy relationships, built on equality, active listening, and acknowledging the worth of others.

Wisdom – Wóksape

Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge, experience, and deep insight to make sound, ethical, and practical judgments. While knowledge is the gathering of information, wisdom represents the discernment to use that information to improve well-being and navigate complex life situations.

Compassion – Wówauŋšila

Compassion is the profound human emotion that arises when you witness suffering and are motivated by a desire to help alleviate it. It goes beyond empathy (which is merely feeling what someone else feels) by actively pairing those feelings with kindness, care, and supportive action.