DAKOTA SIOUX IN ILLINOIS

DAKOTA MEANS "THE ALLIES" AND SIOUX COMES FROM OJIBWA OR "LITTLE SNAKES". TODAY NEARLY ALL OF THEM SPEAK ENGLISH, AND MANY ARE BILINGUAL. MANY CHILDREN GO HUNTING AND FISHING WITH THEIR FATHERS. IN THE PAST THEY HAD MORE CHORES. THE MOTHERS CARRIED BABIES IN CRADLE BOARDS. THE WOMEN WERE IN CHARGE OF THE HOUSE AND DRAGGED HEAVY POSTS WHEN THE TRIBE MOVED. USUALLY ONLY MEN BECAME CHIEFS. THEY BUILT TIPIS WITH BENT POLES AND COVERED THEM WITH WOVEN MATS. THEY WORE DEERSKIN CLOTHING AND SKIRTS AND DECORATED THEM WITH BONES, SHELLS, ETC. THEY PAINTED THEIR FACES AND WORE FEATHERED WAR BONNETS ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS.

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