The 6th grade students are learning about the Seven Virtues of the Lakota Life. In this lesson the students learned how these seven virtues have helped our ancestors in their daily lives, and how in modern times we have forgotten about these virtues. The Lesson involved a discussion of the following: Wowaú.šila(Compassion), Wóowat.a.la(Honesty), Wówacha.tognakA( Generosity), Waóhola(Respect), Wá.wala(Humility), Wóksape(Wisdom), WóchekiyA(Prayer). From our class discussion, students were to choose one of the seven virtues and write about what that virtues means to them and their family. I want to share with you the writings of two students that have really impressed me with their writing as I thought that they were not paying attention during my lecture.

Gregory Ross
Lakota Studies Teacher
Pahin Sinte Owayawa
Waóhola(Respect)

Waóhola; Respect-

I have learned about giving respect and people giving it back to you. It’s listening and following directions and you’ll get it back. That’s my family respectful, but not me. So now that’s a problem right there. So, now I know to ignore people who want to be disrespectful, that want to show off and get attention. Us Lakotas are not like that. I mean you are representing your grandparents and family not only yourself. Chaske Feb 11, 2011

Respect means a lot to my family. If we do something wrong we get in trouble. But we do not say bad words cause if we do then you know…whoop! Smack! I and my brother Tyrell we always raised heck. But I always won cause he would try to fight me but our grandpa and grandma would always break us up. My grandpa would always talk to us about these things we do. So respect is very important to have for self and family. Leo Feb 11, 2011