Hau Kola,
In the Lakota language, there is a word for every living being that walks and moves on this earth and even everything that has already passed on. We address groups, whether living or dead, as nations. In today’s world, we often mistranslate the true meaning of words. For example, the term "wamakaskan" means “animals” but someone who is a fluent Lakota speaker would translate it as "living beings of the earth."
Late Leksi Albert White Hat, Sr.* shared with me that when creation was completed, all living beings on earth were called “wamakaskan oyate” or "nations." Remember, within the Lakota way of life, a word like “nation” doesn't have political implications like it does in English. "Nation" simply refers to beings who are alike and who have a spirit, life, mind and a language.
In the same way, “Ikce Wicasa” interpreted as "animal" is a poor translation because it separates humans and the rest of the creation. It creates a hierarchy and an assumption that contradicts the Lakota Belief System. In Lakota "mitakuye oyasin" means we are all related, so as “Ikce Wicasa/Man”, we must practice humility toward the rest of creation. Hoka Hey!
Warfield Moose, Jr., Lakota educator and author of The Lakota Philosophy of Healing through Song.
*Albert White Hat, Sr., Reading and Writing in Lakota Language
Visit www.mitaoyate.com for more teachings.
In the Lakota language, there is a word for every living being that walks and moves on this earth and even everything that has already passed on. We address groups, whether living or dead, as nations. In today’s world, we often mistranslate the true meaning of words. For example, the term "wamakaskan" means “animals” but someone who is a fluent Lakota speaker would translate it as "living beings of the earth."
Late Leksi Albert White Hat, Sr.* shared with me that when creation was completed, all living beings on earth were called “wamakaskan oyate” or "nations." Remember, within the Lakota way of life, a word like “nation” doesn't have political implications like it does in English. "Nation" simply refers to beings who are alike and who have a spirit, life, mind and a language.
In the same way, “Ikce Wicasa” interpreted as "animal" is a poor translation because it separates humans and the rest of the creation. It creates a hierarchy and an assumption that contradicts the Lakota Belief System. In Lakota "mitakuye oyasin" means we are all related, so as “Ikce Wicasa/Man”, we must practice humility toward the rest of creation. Hoka Hey!
Warfield Moose, Jr., Lakota educator and author of The Lakota Philosophy of Healing through Song.
*Albert White Hat, Sr., Reading and Writing in Lakota Language
Visit www.mitaoyate.com for more teachings.
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