Traditional Government
10,000BCE - 40,000BCE Big Game Hunting Era |
Leaders were the Wakincunza (wahk een choon zah: "deciders" or "hunt-chiefs"). It is open for debate that these leaders were elected by their hunting prowess, hunting record, and standing within the tribe. This is the oldest form of leadership to the Lakota. The duty of a Wakinchunza included deciding which game to hunt, organizing hunting partys, where camp would be located, and mediating how the game was distributed. |
Pre 1600's - 1700's Woodland Period Oceti Sakowin Era |
The Tiwahe Tiwahe was a partriarical, kinshp form of government, with the Ate (Father), or Nata (Head), as the leader. This form of leadership was a default, when conditions would isolate a household, or household group from the lager camp, and in turn, the larger government. This type of government could arguably be called a clan. It is patriarical, with leadership passed from father to eldest son, and the immediate family as the constituents. This was the smallest type of government. |
1700's - 1820's Prairie-Woodland Period Late Oceti Sakowin Era |
The Tiospaye Partial Kinship form, with the patriarch of an extended family is the established leader. Four or more Tiwahe, connected by genetic ties, band together, and usually, the head of the largest Tiwahe becomes the Naca (nAH chah: "Head", a word derived from "Nata Heca" or "He is the head"). Clan-like structure is more apparent in this form, but hereditary leadership is applied less. That is to say, another Nata from any of the other Tiwahe can vie for Naca. |
Contemporary Government
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