"The Dakota, Lakota and Nakota
More than 62,000 American Indians live in South Dakota today. Most of them are Dakota, Lakota or Nakota people. This nation of tribes (sometimes called Sioux) has lived here for hundreds of years. They trace their roots to the "Seven Council Fires," an alliance of tribes. By the early 1800s, the Dakota, Lakota and Nakota dominated the Plains. Buffalo were important to their way of life. The animals provided food, clothing and shelter for the people.
The influence of this nation extends across the state. South Dakota towns, lakes and landmarks have Indian names. Galleries display tribal art. And powwows (celebrations of dancing and singing) are held throughout the year.
Lewis and Clark's Great Adventure
Lewis and Clark set out to explore the American frontier in 1804. At first, they traveled by keelboat up the Missouri River. They spent several weeks exploring what is now South Dakota. Here, the men discovered pronghorn, prairie dogs and coyotes. They also had their first meetings with the Yanktons, Tetons and Arikaras. They nearly got in a fight with the Tetons. The Tetons later held a party for the explorers. They prepared a feast and danced around the campfire.
Lewis and Clark continued on to the West Coast. They returned to South Dakota in 1806. Six years after the trip, Sacagawea (the only woman in the party) died at Fort Manuel in South Dakota.
Pioneers, Gold Miners and Cowboys
The desire for land and a new life brought settlers to Dakota Territory. They came from Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Ireland and Czechoslovakia. They often settled near people of the same heritage. The prairie had few trees, so settlers used blocks of earth to build homes. They called these homes "soddies." Early pioneers faced challenges such as lack of water, blizzards and isolation.
Gold was discovered in the Black Hills in 1874. This discovery sparked another wave of settlement. Deadwood became one of the West's most famous gold towns. Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Potato Creek Johnny lived here.
Settlers soon discovered that the land west of the Missouri River was good for ranching. The wide-open prairie provided range for cattle. Cowboys spent their days herding cattle and their nights telling stories around the campfire."
- From the travelsd.com website
To learn more about South Dakota visit http://www.travelsd.com/
|
