The Lakota Nation, also known as the Teton Sioux, emerged as a dominant force on the northern Plains during the 18th and 19th centuries. Originally a part of the Seven Council Fires, the Lakota split off and formed their own independent tribal confederacy, the Oceti Sakowin, meaning "Seven Council Fires." Through a combination of skilled horsemanship, bison hunting, and intertribal alliances, the Lakota expanded their territory and became known for their fierce warrior culture and resistance to encroachment by European settlers and the United States government. Their rise to prominence culminated in the Great Sioux War of 1876-77, which ultimately led to their defeat and confinement to reservations. Despite these setbacks, the Lakota Nation has endured and continues to play an important role in contemporary Native American history and culture.
