Očhéthi Šakówin Life-Ways

Traditional Očhéthi Šakówin Values

Buffalo Star People seeks to build upon our rich cultural heritage and resources to devise creative, self-sustaining strategies that incorporate the teachings of our ancestors and promote holistic healing, and to provide a pathway that others may follow. We cannot wait for answers to come from the outside. Problem-focused models are self-defeating, piecemeal and demeaning. American Indians have survived centuries of attempted genocide precisely because our traditional values enabled us to be resilient. Traditional Očhéthi Šakówin values have sustained our people for millennia. 

Mitakuye Oyasin, “All our relations”, reminds us to be the best family member to all living things, including humans. 

Land-based cultural values include:

• Walk in the knowledge that everything comes from the Creator, and as such, is sacred.
• Walk bravely and intentionally through your life, in accordance with your principles.
• Share generously, and help where help is needed without waiting to be asked.
• Self-sufficiency – learn to do it yourself.
• Respect and honor others.
• Have compassion.
• Be tolerant and patient.
• Be grateful, prayerful, and thankful.
• Act with the knowledge that we are all related.
• Practice humility.
• Persevere. Never give up.
• Forgive.
• Seek wisdom by taking a lifelong learning approach to all of life’s experiences.