Total population | |
---|---|
11,594 enrolled members | |
Regions with significant populations | |
United States ( South Dakota) | |
Languages | |
Dakota, English[1] | |
Religion | |
traditional tribal religion, Sun Dance,[2] Native American Church, Christianity[3] | |
Related ethnic groups | |
other Eastern Dakota, Western Dakota people |
The Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota is a federally recognized tribe of Yankton Western Dakota people, located in South Dakota. Their Dakota name is Ihaƞktoƞwaƞ Dakota Oyate, meaning "People of the End Village" which comes from the period when the tribe lived at the end of Spirit Lake just north of Mille Lacs Lake.[5][6][7]
Historically, the tribe is known for being the protectors of the sacred Pipestone Quarry for the Oceti Sakowin (Dakota).
The tribe maintains a free-ranging bison herd.[6]