LIFE LAKOTA | The Cheyenne River Reservation 

I am a blonde ,blue eyed man ..as white as you can get 😆 not that that is a reason for people to judge someone by how they look, when I was a young man in my teens and 20s I had an opportunity to learn from a group of native people who kind of adopted me into their family. It was a steep learning curve let me tell you. All those things they taught me and that I learned I have never forgotten through my whole life. I am now coming up to my 50s and all the things I heard and saw and experienced have stayed with me. The native way of looking at the world and the universe is uniquely beautiful and it truly does connect every single thing to the other. I consider this to be a great truce and I have never forgotten. Many of the people who taught me have left this world and moved on to the next but I honor them whenever I think of something or do something that they taught me by carrying that on. I may not be native, but my heart walks that road. I learned a long time ago it isn’t just how you look it’s how you conduct yourself that makes you who and what you are. I grew up poor also part of my life, but I don’t use that as an excuse. My heart aches every time I see someone who suffers and I know that every single person on earth is related to the other whether they realize it or not. We are all brothers and sisters everyone of us. If you see someone who is down and out, It is your responsibility to help pick them up. After all, where would any of us be if someone had not stopped for a moment to pick us up when we were down? The energy of life flows through all of us we just have to learn how to tap into it. This is a good video.

I am also Lakota living in the PNW among the Yakama Rez. I sweat, ceremonies, powwow, etc. with them. They are a happy and gracious tribe. I am grateful for this posting. Sending you ravens! A’ho. ❤️🙏🌹 My grandfather prayed we would not have the dark eyes and features of our mother. He prayed that we would pass for white. We do not have the dark eyes but many native features. However……I feel like a peppermint. Neither fully red nor white. I felt and knew of the discrimination going to town with grandmother. I decided as a child that I would never look down on another. We are all Creator’s children.

I am Pawnee. The summers I spent living with my grand parents was priceless. We didn’t know we were poor. I am proud.

Hugs, love and respect from Naples, Italy, to Lakota People ❤. Freedom and proud are priceless. Stay safe!

I'm a Lakota, I thank you for this. A'ho My father was ashamed to be, many years ago. Before he passed away he told me to NEVER be ashamed of myself and heritage. I became a Court Advocate to fight for treatment rather than my client's going to Jail or Prison. Hanta Yo.

I’m really tired of the Native “poverty porn” images. We have beautiful cultures. We may be poor in material goods but we are rich in culture, family and other intangibles.

The more I learn of native American Indians. The more love I feel for them. Bless you.

I’m a White man in the midwest who, through scouts, gained a lifelong interest in Native American Indians and not just the history of their many different cultures but also their horrible current situation. If I was president I would immediately turn to make improvements and assistance to the tribes.

I'm native american mohawk I grew up poor . A lot of bad thing but wowwww this is beautiful and yes we are strong

America doesn’t want to hear this but native Americans would create a better nation than Americans could ever dream of..

As an Australian, I cannot even understand how life for indigenous tribes is in any country. I have been adopted by an Aboriginal Indigenous Elder here and that was such an honour. I was born in Greece, my parents were migrants to this country, and I watched this video through tears because indigenous people have fallen into a tragic cycle of despair. Don't allow the colour of your skin or your external circumstances determine who you are. You are a child of this universe, you were born for a purpose. You are not here by mistake but by design. And you were chosen. So what choice are you making to live the life that awaits you? Being native is an honour, its a privilege to be living in your skin, be proud of it and the incredibly rich tapestry that is your ancestry, how lucky are you! Humanity forgets that we are all connected, young and old, white, black, red, yellow (did I miss anyone?) When we leave this earth we don't take our body, we are just spirit, eternal. If we can grasp this, we then know how unlimited we truly are.

I really liked Irona Howe's words. It's true that the Lakota are a good people and a strong people. And they will figure this out!

I am a Viking, Wow what an opportunity to combiner the old ways with the new ways and create a beautiful life. Live in the teepees in the summer and have a warm modern but simple , inexpensive house for the cold winter, raise buffalo , and a garden , be self sufficient , Create your life with your choices , don't relie on the gov. to do it all for you.

There is an Inca prophecy: " When the eagle of the north and the condor of the south fly again togheter,the spirit of the earth will wake up again".

I love native culture, i love natives i have Sioux blood i am proud

Beautiful film 💛 I was lucky enough to work with the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe a few years ago and they have been in my heart ever since. I was blown away by their generosity of spirit and stories and the kindness they showed me as an outsider.

The elder that spoke to the children in this video was so beautiful. His words touched my heart.

An amazing culture that should never be lost

I love all of you , everyone reading this.

My daughter’s boyfriend’s family is from there. He is such a sweet, amazing young man and I hope they last. I’m very proud of him and love seeing him teach my daughter his heritage.

For me, the native American culture and philosophy has always been and will always be the most beautiful one ❤️ Thank you for your courage and keeping it alive 🙏❤️

My heart is with the Native people of this land and always will be.

Never let your environment bring you down, be thankful to be alive, never forget "We are POWER"

Lakota, Chechen people always with you. God bless Lakota people.

" We are all related , everything in the universe is related " , what a wonderful philosophy !

Loving the Lakota people from Palestine 🇵🇸💙💪🏾

Every documentary about indigenous people touches me deeply. Beautiful words at the end. Thank you for sharing.

I am proud of my Native American Grandmother she passed 8 or so years ago but was so glad she changed her hair back to black.. I wish to if can help my Native American people in any way I can. The Lakota way makes me Very Happy to be honest. I have a light in me for my Native American People.. I love this... Thank you for this beautiful post on youtube.

I love the culture of Native American Nations. They have a deep connection for nature and have a wealth of knowledge. We are all put in this earth and should be pleased to support one another . Music and regalia is so good. I am now pleased Lakota have kept their language and have reservations.The fact they include animals and all living creatures in their beliefs is impressive. Yes I respect and admire this culture.. May this improve over time and Lakota keep moving forward in strength and honour. Would you all say prayers and blessings for Nakotah Larance recently passed in a climbing accident. He was from Hopi Nation and a famous Hoop dancer. Only thirty at time of his death in July 2O20. A tragic loss to this world, to his family and all the people he helped.Could you support his family with kind words and keep him in your thoughts and memories.He lived in New Mexico and attended Pow Wows all over. His Father sang and played drums and promoted his wonderful culture. Thank you so very much.

Greetings from Australia, all I have to say is thank you Native Americans for being you. Thank you. You are the true light in this world, that will connect us all.

Hi everyone! I worked as a counselor at Leslie Marrowbone Camp over 30 years ago. Unforgettable time, unforgettable land, people, experience, friends... Always in my mind and in my heart. All my love, courage and support to the lakota nation and to the ones who care and fight with them. Thank you!

Those people are the real Americans. Blessings always.

I love The Lakota people. "When you see The Black Hills remember me,The defender of the Lakota people. " Chief Crazy Horse.

Ojibwe, white earth here. I've lived in eagle Butte and Isabel on the this reservation for a while. But I feel a need to speak up in hopes of prosperity to the lady all the way to the right at 4:59.... I used to cut too... I have 73 scars that will never go away in my life. I've been 14 years without cutting now. These scars show me today is always a better day then what it was. I understand her environment... I'll let a few feathers downstream for her in hopes of prosperity, spiritually, physically, and emotionally..

Brought me to tears. Yes, we are ALL connected. Thank you.

I am proud to be of The People. There are many of us that have blood ties to the Lakota. Though raised in a white world, something in our spirit tells us the lifepath we are on is wrong. We need restoration as a people. Imagine the power of our people if our bloodlines united openly around the inner circle as one.

"When you see The Black Hills remember me,The defender of the Lakota people. " Chief Crazy Horse. Thank you for reminding us, Tony England

I have watched many, many videos on the Lakota situation. This is one of the better ones. It doesn't show nearly all of the hardships that they face and have faced, but it does show the beauty of the land and the people, and more importantly, it shows the hope and the good things that are happening. Americans need to know how badly we screwed these people and how recently and that, in fact, we are still doing it.

I'm so happy my spirit asked me to watch this video it touched my heart we are all children of God were all one in our sacred way! Let's walk together forward together! As children of the Universe !

I love the interview with the young lady who shared her art. She states that people go to the reservation seeking out the negative. She shares how there is so much the positive to find. I totally agree with what about she shares. Her words are so uplifting. The Culture is so profound with positive. I am glad she shared that information.

Be proud to have a native American ancestry . Don’t loose your culture!

Red skinned tone, broad foreheads, slanted eyes, long black hair. Such beautiful people.

You got extinguished BECAUSE you are good people. Look at the world history. Bad (or useless) people have no enemies. The dark forces try to destroy the light on earth. YOU, my dear native people, are that light. Keep it, no matter what comes. I greet you from the heart. Love from Germany!

❤️ Buďte stále takoví jací jste. Buďte hrdí na své předky, svou kulturu, svou zem. Nenechte se zlomit. ❤️

"We are all related to everything": this man should be teaching us all.

The Lakota were one of the few tribes to defeat the US government several times in armed conflicts. The government will always make them pay but the Lakota people are strong enough to survive this with dignity and honor for their culture is a rich culture. Mitakuyae oyasin. All my relations.

As a Native American from N. Arizona I'm happy with my culture and my traditional teachings I was taught. Stay safe & strong, brothers and sisters of Lakota. All my Relations Aho'🙏🏼

Praying that the Lakota can keep their language and culture alive. God bless!

I'm european, never set foot in America, yet their stories, their culture is so deep it hurts. I feel like the entire world would lose something so important if this culture would end. This video made me cry. of anger, sadness and most of all because you can almost touch how proud and right is the woman talking. I believe in your strenght.

I would like to thank you, The Lakota People, to be among us, on this beautiful planet Earth. Thank you! Life long! Be well!

12:35: “We are strong Lakota people. Very strong. And we’ll rise and I believe it’ll change. There’s always a light. Always a light. You just have to choose to see it.” ❤️❤️

Stay strong and stay proud of your Lakota heritage ❤️❤️❤️

Tuve la gran oportunidad de vivir en 1972 en la reservación Cheyenne River y graduarme en la Eagle Butte High School. Cumplí alli mis 17 años de vida. Fué una experiencia que marcó profundamente mi vida. Hoy con 66 años atesoro más que nunca esa oportunidad. Aún recuerdo con cariño a su gente y mantengo recuerdos imborrables. Un gran abrazo desde Valparaíso, Republica de Chile, América del Sur.

Beautiful film, I'm watching this on my laptop in The Netherlands and I would like to shout out to all these people: 'You have no idea how many people in Western Europe admire you, envy you, when we rush to our zombie office every day. Because you as a people still understand the true meaning of life! You can live in harmony with nature, it's in your genes. Be proud! I see you.

I'm half Cherokee eastern band wolf clan, my father was FBI and my mom was polish, a heck of a mixture but I lived in the Cherokee res from the age of 5 until I was 16. We didn't have toys or dolls so my dad taught me to shoot and go bear hunting in the mountains I had a pet timber wolf called Black Jack and my horse was a black and white and beautiful and I named him Two Moons. But my grandmother was married to a Lakota chief who passed before I knew him. I was never told his name but he was much older than grandma but I learned to speak some Lakota . I follow the red path and very proud of my heritage the Lakota people are amazing and never complained. This video brought back many memories. A'ho my sister Bear who taught me the language of the Lakota and due to my work at the time I was on the set of Dances with Wolves and met amazing actors Graham Green and John Westerman, who plays the Indian flute like no other got me to try buffalo meat and I loved it. Most of the movie were real native Americans like the riders during the buffalo roundup plus it was cold and freezing but took time to teach me to talk to my horses and how loyal they will be to me. So I have wonderful memories of the Lakota people and respect for what their able to do and never complain. So today I'm proud to be Native American and their way of life is so amazing. I wish I could go back in time and live like they did and learn. Hanta Yo !🐻🐺

The Lakota people are beautiful, there song and dance are truly a vision to see! I pray for your continued strength! 💖

Speak my people! It is our time and our ancestors have come back to speak and walk with us!!

The HEART of America begins with our Native AMERICANS 💕🙏

I live 10 miles north of marrow camp . My people love the whole universe we love every being. Thank you for showing love and kindness to my people. LAKOTA OYATE OMAKIYIYO. Brings tears to my eyes I love my people so much

Nuestros HERMANOS LAKOTA son muy fuertes. Muchas personas estan despertando su AMOR ANCESTRAL. Nuestros HERMANOS NATIVOS SON NUESTRAS RAICES ANCESTRALES.

Thank you dear Lakota brothers and sisters. In 1996, you received me in Pine Ridge to celebrate the Sun Dance...Since that time, I have followed the Red Road and discovered that I am Algonquin from Quebec. Your love gives meaning to my life. I am Grandmother now, I hope one day to return to you. Metakuye Oyasin!

It’s time for the world to wake up and help one another.

AND THROUGH THE GREAT ELDERS IN MY YOUNG LIFE, THANK YOU ALL FOR YOU.

I live in San Diego one of my friends is my brother is Lakota its the same here I love my brother we share the same problems, he is amazing I need to go find him. We need to talk. Thank you this brought this awareness to me, his cousin I fallow is a hero of mine and he told me about his cousin I found him on my own. Your wonderful people I accept you all with s loving grestful heart. Thsnk you

I am a Sioux Soul Man. Maybe on other life I was a Sioux in flash and blood. I live south Brasil. Se have a group that onde a week, se mete and seat around the bonfire to play drums and tô listen Sioux and Cheyenne Musics. Very happy to see The Brazilian Flag....almoçar cryed. ALL me respect to this wonderdull people and Hope someday I get tô to visit them.

Greetings and blessings to my brothers in the north, from a Mexican Indian descendant of Nahua and Zapotec people. Stay strong

My grandmother was Cherokee when I was young she taught me to follow the great spirit and the teaching that we are brothers and sisters too everyone human and animal we all need to step up help all our brothers and sisters in this age no one should be living like this

Love native Americans all way from Scotland love to know how come one music is amazing

"There is always a light, you just have to choose to see it." You have a right to be here Keep peace with your soul Strive to be happy Be whole Be 1

got me in tears . I am so touched. For me the native Spirit is the best thing on this earth and all ppl should learn from all the tribes.

Thank you for helping to keep us alive.

Thank you so much for this film watching for my Christmas gift reminding me of my Dakota home. Born in NoDak and raised in SoDak through college years. Spent many hours driving this landscape with my father an American Lutheran minister …had opportunities to visit amazing places like Pine Ridge, Rose Bud, Blue Cloud Abby, Hayes SD, Al’s Oasis in Chamberlain in the old days!, up & down the Missouri with many stops at coffee shops and little groceries along the way. We are all related and resilient people remembered with dignity & pride. My heart has always gone out to the Lakota. Please never sell the Black Hills. Love & know you are always in my heart & soul with all my family.

Those young YMCA leaders are awesome for caring and dedicating they're young adult lives to help the less fortunate youth. God bless them for their kindness and humility. ,🙏🌏🦋🌈

I believe that the decimation of native people was one of mankind's most horrible acts. Your preservation of native knowledge and sustaining your culture is imperative to all.

I haven’t got to meet the Lakota people, and yet I feel this overwhelming love and acceptance and anticipation.. I read this message and would like to pass this on with love and respect: The message….it is hard at times but my daughter, you hold your head up high, you come from a proud people… their blood runs in your veins. Do not tire of doing what is right, remember the red road and what you have been taught… be kind to all living things … show honour and respect to the Earth and her beauty. Do the small and the greatest things you are capable of with a glad heart. Rest when you are weary, drink when you thirst. Love with all our heart and stand up for the weak and forgotten with all your strength. You are held in the hands of the Great Spirit and we are with you.

Don’t like to be exploited! Our People’s are a people’s of great honor and respect for our elders and children 🙌🏽🥰 A’ho Mitakuye Oyasin

Every time I pray I move my spirit for Lakota people, and the Great Spirit. I love you all, native people of Great North. I’m from Brazil - very proud to see Brazilian flag.

Thank you for making this film. I 💗 Native Americans. God Bless! ☀️🌻🌈💗

Hi, i'm Robert, from Italy, i like your traditions and i give you all my respect🙏. Good Luck !✋

May Love and Light of Creator be always with you! Keep RISING!! #StayStrong #KeepTraditionsStrong

I believe these people will rise, Beautiful Spirits, we need to be listening to all of our Indigenous Peoples all over North America, Canada, and around the world, They are our True Teachers, Honourable caretakers for Mother Earth, and all who is on it, I pray for the transition back to caring for Every living thing, and a balance that has been long lost to us all.

What a beautiful statement: we're all relatives. This is a testimonial of how amazing that culture really is. Shouldn't we learn from them?

This is so sad and love your culture which should never change cause of this nation is yours also trying to get work for you too with school praying for you

Thanks for showing Thunder Butte,great things started out from the isolated places.Sober and drug free over 16 years,if you like country life,those isolated places are the best places to be.I am drawn back,I took a group of people from St.Louis to Thunder Butte,they wanna come and help the people there.

"we were prohibited from speaking our language from 1890 to 1990" - I am gobsmacked.. that is a complete _disgrace!_ #mitakuyeoyasin

U live in a beautiful....PEACEFUL place. I am Chipewaa live in TO Canada....big city. Did not grow up on the Rez....i know it is hard, but it is hard every where.....sooooo expensive 2 b here in the big city. 😡. I married a Italian & i tell him every day i want to go back 2 my roots....live peacefully on the Rez with some land & animals. 1 day....1 day! Appreciate ur life....ur heritage. B brave & strong....Not only 4 ur selves but 4 our Ancestors. Many blessings Brothers & Sisters! 🙏✌💝

I have always wanted to live with the Lakota and learn the ways. I have tried to learn the spiritual ways and would love a mentor even though I am 60 years we are never to old to learn. God Bless each and every Lakota's spirit.

I am a native of SD. I am now in my mid 70’s. I have lived in a lot states and Germany. I have seen and experienced many things. My heart goes out to the Native American Indians, They endured so many atrocities, poverty, insults, etc. I want to help them, but I don’t know how. They appear to be living their history successfully, but they should have better. My husband is part American Indian. We are the intruders, but we should respect these people, and learn from them.

The wind carries the whispers of our ancestors with wisdom and strength... Do not be afraid of their voices or messages for they speak to heal and to remind you of the good...the traditions and the faith of your people and the recognition we are all still here and with you

I love to watch videos like this. It is sad that so many tribes are suffering and our government doesn't care. My 5th great grandmother was Genizaro Nation. Not many know of this because it was a Nation of mixed tribes that were captive in New Mexico by Spaniards My grandmother was sold as a child to a Spanish household. In the 1770's it was popular when getting married to receive one of the best presents ever, a little Indian kid. She took her owners surname and became part of the family. The Native culture was replaced with Spanish and Catholic traditions. I don't know who fathered her children but when her owner died she and her children were free. Her children chose to carry on the surname. I had my DNA tested to see if the owner fathered her children but he did not. I am 46% Native American.The teacher in this video is correct when he said, "you lose the language, you lose the culture".

My father is from Cheyenne River, grew up there and moved away. Joined the US Army, went about all over the United States and settled down in Colorado. To be honest, I've only met some of my relatives and do have an interest in learning the language to preserve it. Got registered with the reservation too a few years ago, still it's nice seeing some insight into our people and where they live.

As a 55 year old German woman, I fully appreciate the example of resilience the native Peoples are giving the world. My father recently told me that what we now call "democracy" was practiced among native people long before we thought we invented it. But in its true sense. We Westerners have lost our ways long ago, and it is thanks to people like you that we still have examples to look to and , I am convinced, heal and become part of everything once again, instead of ruling over it. Danke !

Beautiful to hear of a rising in the spirit of the proud Lakota Native Americans. "Aho mitakuye oyasin" 🦅

I hope to learn more about my culture one day peace be with you all

Aho! Thank you for that beautiful closing. Nothing can dim the light of the human spirit.

Senior Lakota Chief Teacher, Respect to you Sir, Many Blessings & Prayers to you and your people.

Native americans are very beautiful people blessings my brothers

They should have a permanent judge on the supreme Court and Senate representation

Warm greetings from Germany. The Indians are role models for many of us. May God or Manitu protect you

My family and I drove from Dallas to the Rapid City area and visited Reservations. This was ten years a go. That is were we learned we were part of a universal family....connected and as one. We have been providing financial assistance to St. Joseph's Indian school. I challenge all of you to find a way to support our beautiful Lakota brothers and sisters. Why....out of Love.