Caring for the heart of everything that is

To the Great Sioux Nation Tribes, there is great spiritual value of this land located in western South Dakota. There is an intricate connection to the natural world. The Sioux believe that every creature, plant, stone, and element embodies a spirit or “nagi,” in their native tongue.

Caring for the earth, stewardship of the northern plains, was an everyday practice of the Oceti Šakowiŋ, also known as the Sioux. They lived not just on the land but in relationship with it, caring for “Grandmother Earth.”

The relationship with the land, is being built upon with a new memorandum of understanding between the Forest Service and the Great Sioux Nations, one of co-stewardship and shared commitment to care for the land.