Young people must remain silent
For Sioux men, the four most important virtues were courage, strength, generosity, and wisdom. Courage and strength were reserved for young warriors, while wisdom came with age.
Respect for the older generation and ancestors was so important that the spirits and supernatural forces that the Sioux believed in were called “ancestors.”
Young Sioux were expected to listen to their elders and show respect for them, for example by politely tapping the side of the tent before entering. In the company of elders, young Sioux were to remain silent.
For the youth, the meeting was a golden opportunity to gain some life wisdom.
The tribal leaders, who lit the ritual pipe at the appropriate opportunity, were mainly older, experienced men. They included the chief, the shaman, the medicine man, and also the patriarchs of the families, often the chief's brothers.
The three Sioux tribes of Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota lived in small communities for most of the year. When the entire tribe gathered for a religious festival, the elders would sit around a campfire and discuss.
At this tribal council Naka Ominisia, They listened to each other for hours and made decisions about the camp.
At home in the tent, their wives had a similar role. Grandmothers taught daughters and daughters-in-law how to run the household.
The ancients appointed new leaders.
Young Sioux wanted to join a warrior society because it gave them status to associate with men who could fight. When such a community lost its leader, not the ordinary members, but three senior men of the tribe, chose a new leader.
The communities had names like Badgers, Foxes, and Spearmen, and took turns forming the camp's “police.” During bison hunts, they would rein in overzealous hunters until everyone was within range. They also maintained order in the camp.
But only the best warriors were allowed to join the society of white horse owners. This coveted association was intended exclusively for veterans and skilled hunters.
The members gathered around the campfire, smoked a pipe, and took turns talking at length about the past and the problems of the camp.
