Regenerating Treaty Lands: The Tatanka, the Oceti Sakowin, and Our Path Forward

The climate crisis is not just a global emergency—it is also a deeply local one, felt in every community, watershed, and prairie. For the Oceti Sakowin, the Seven Council Fires, climate change intersects with history, sovereignty, and survival. It compels us to look back to the 1851 and 1868 Fort Laramie Treaties, which recognized our homelands, and to look forward to the role of our traditional governance and relatives—the Tatanka (buffalo)—in regenerating those lands for future generations.

The Treaties and the Land

The Fort Laramie Treaties of 1851 and 1868 were meant to secure the vast territories of the Oceti Sakowin, stretching across the Northern Plains. These agreements recognized that the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota peoples lived as part of the land, not apart from it. Yet, broken promises, land theft, and ecological destruction followed. Railroads, extractive industries, and settlement not only dispossessed our people but also drove the near-extinction of the buffalo—our central relative, food source, and spiritual foundation.

The U.S. government and military not only attempted to destroy our ancestors through war and massacres, but also carried out an ecological genocide. By sanctioning and encouraging the slaughter of an estimated 200 million buffalo, they sought to starve our people into submission. This was not only cultural and physical genocide against the Oceti Sakowin and other Plains Nations—it was also a climatic catastrophe. The destruction of the buffalo and the prairie grass ecosystems they sustained set the stage for the ecological collapse that culminated in the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, one of the worst environmental disasters in North American history.

Mni Wiconi: Water is Life

At the center of Lakota thought is Mni Wiconi—Water is Life. This teaching is not a metaphor; it is a truth. Water is alive. The rivers, lakes, and underground springs are not resources to be consumed, but relatives, with their own spirit and being. The water beings—the mni wicóni oyate—are part of our circle of life. When we say Mni Wiconi, we affirm that our survival depends on theirs, and that to protect the water is to protect all life.

This makes the protection of the Oglala Aquifer—the vast underground water system that nourishes much of the Northern Plains—one of the greatest concerns for our future. Already, threats from industrial agriculture, uranium mining, oil pipelines, and climate-driven drought are putting the aquifer at risk. If the aquifer is poisoned or depleted, generations will lose their most vital relative: living water. Defending the aquifer is a sacred duty under the treaties, a responsibility to both the Oyate and the unborn.

The Tatanka: Keystone to Regeneration

The buffalo, or Tatanka, once shaped the Northern Plains into some of the most resilient ecosystems in the world. Their hooves aerated the soil, their grazing patterns renewed prairie grasses, and their presence sustained countless other beings. For the Lakota, they are more than animals—they are sacred relatives, teachers, and providers.

Restoring buffalo to treaty lands is not simply a conservation effort; it is an act of sovereignty, healing, and climate resilience. Where buffalo return, prairies recover. Carbon is sequestered in the soil, native plants thrive, and water cycles are restored. Importantly, buffalo grazing reduces the accumulation of dry grasses that feed destructive wildfires, helping to restore natural fire cycles that renew rather than devastate the land.

Fire, Renewal, and Lakota Knowledge

Fire has always been part of the prairie. In Lakota thought, fire is a living force—dangerous if misused, but also cleansing and regenerative when guided with care. Traditionally, fire was used to clear land, invite fresh growth, and sustain buffalo migrations. Colonial suppression of fire practices, combined with extractive logging and monoculture planting, disrupted these cycles. Now, the result is catastrophic: wildfires that burn too hot, spread too far, and leave behind scorched earth.

To heal treaty lands, we must restore both Tatanka and the wisdom of traditional fire stewardship. When buffalo return to graze and Indigenous nations lead prescribed burns and land care, the land can again find balance—where fire renews instead of destroys.

Traditional Governance: From Tiwahe to Oyate

The Lakota worldview has always understood governance as relational, rooted in circles of responsibility. In facing the climate crisis, these traditional structures offer a guide:

• Tiwahe (Family): The smallest but most vital circle. Climate adaptation begins in the home, with families teaching children respect for water, land, and fire.

• Tiospaye (Extended Family/Band): Here, families unite to make collective decisions, share resources, and care for the vulnerable. In a time of ecological upheaval, Tiospaye embody resilience and mutual aid.

• Ospaye (Regional Groupings): These larger formations coordinate across communities, ensuring that buffalo restoration, water protection, and fire stewardship are advanced together, not in isolation.

• Oyate (The Nation/People): At the broadest level, the Oyate speaks with one voice to protect sovereignty, defend treaty lands, and build a unified response to the climate crisis.

  
  

This governance is not hierarchical but circular, grounded in consensus and respect. It reflects the very ecosystems we seek to heal—diverse, interconnected, and resilient.

Peta Ōmníčiyé: Gathering Fire in the Time of Crisis

The work of petaomniciye.org is to carry forward this vision. “Peta Ōmníčiyé”—to gather around the fire—reminds us that collective action is sacred. Just as our ancestors gathered around the fire to deliberate, pray, and decide, so too must we gather now to face the climate crisis with courage and unity.

Restoring Tatanka to treaty lands, revitalizing traditional governance, defending Mni Wiconi, protecting the Oglala Aquifer, and asserting the promises of Fort Laramie are all part of the same path. They are not just about survival but about regeneration—healing the land, the people, and the spirit together.

A Call to Action

The Oceti Sakowin stand at a crossroads. The climate crisis is real and urgent, but so is our strength. By honoring the treaties, remembering the genocide and ecological destruction we have survived, restoring the Tatanka, protecting the living waters and the Oglala Aquifer, bringing back traditional fire practices, and returning to the governance of Tiwahe, Tiospaye, Ospaye, and Oyate, we can regenerate our homelands for the generations yet to come.

The fire is lit. The water is alive. The aquifer must be defended. The Tatanka are returning. We invite all relatives to gather, to work, and to walk together in balance.

Embracing Our Future Together

As we look to the future, we must remember that our actions today shape the world of tomorrow. We have the power to influence the course of our communities and the environment. By embracing our cultural teachings and practices, we can foster a sense of unity and purpose.

Let us come together to share knowledge and resources. Through education and collaboration, we can empower one another. Our collective wisdom is a source of strength. We can create sustainable practices that honor our ancestors and protect our future.

The Importance of Education

Education plays a crucial role in our journey toward self-sufficiency and sustainability. By teaching our youth about traditional practices, we ensure the continuation of our culture. We must integrate modern knowledge with ancestral wisdom. This approach will allow us to navigate the complexities of today's world while remaining grounded in our heritage.

Building Resilient Communities

Resilience is key to overcoming the challenges we face. By fostering strong community ties, we can support one another in times of need. Together, we can create networks of care and mutual aid. This interconnectedness will help us adapt to the changing climate and protect our resources.

Celebrating Our Heritage

As we move forward, let us celebrate our heritage and the teachings of our ancestors. We can honor their sacrifices by living in harmony with the land and each other. By embracing our identity, we strengthen our resolve to protect our homelands.

In this journey, we are not alone. We stand together as a united people, committed to the well-being of our communities and the earth. Let us continue to gather around the fire, sharing our stories, wisdom, and love for the land. Together, we can create a brighter future for generations to come.