The Oceti Sakowin is historically comprised of three main divisions, based on dialect and kinship:

1. Dakota (Santee): The Eastern division, whose name means "ally."

2. Nakota (Yankton-Yanktonai): The Middle division, also meaning "ally." The Assiniboine (Nakoda) people are closely related, having split from the Nakota centuries ago.

3. Lakota (Teton): The Western division, also meaning "ally."

Their traditional territories covered a vast expanse of the Great Plains of North America, from the Mississippi River west to the Rocky Mountains, and from present-day Saskatchewan south into Nebraska.

The cultures of the Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota peoples are profoundly connected to the Great Plains. Their entire way of life was traditionally centered around the American Bison (Buffalo), which provided food, shelter (tipis), tools from bone, clothing from hides, and was central to their spiritual beliefs.

• Society: They lived in highly organized bands, which were extended family groups. Leadership was earned through wisdom, generosity, and bravery.

• Spirituality: A core belief is the connection to Wakan Tanka, often translated as the "Great Spirit" or "Great Mystery," the creative force that is in all things. Ceremonies like the Sun Dance and the sweat lodge remain central to their spiritual life.

• Horsemanship: With the arrival of the horse in the 1700s, the Oceti Sakowin became master equestrians, which greatly enhanced their mobility, hunting prowess, and ability to defend their territory.

This First Nation has a unique and complex identity that is a direct result of Canadian colonial history. It is an amalgamated Nation, formed when the Canadian government forcibly combined several distinct bands into a single administrative unit under the Indian Act.

The member nations retain their distinct cultural identities:

• Mosquito Band (#109): The people of this band are Nakota (Assiniboine). They are descendants of the Plains peoples who have lived and hunted in this region for centuries.

• Grizzly Bear's Head Band (#110) & Lean Man Band (#111): The people of these bands are Plains Cree (nêhiyawak), an Algonquian-speaking people.

Although they operate as one political entity today, their members come from two different linguistic and cultural families (Siouan and Algonquian). Their shared history, particularly their location in the Eagle Hills near Battleford, Saskatchewan, and their shared experiences under Treaty 6, has created a unique, blended community. This Nation’s story is a powerful testament to resilience and the ability to forge a unified path while honouring distinct ancestral roots.

The Wahpeton Dakota Nation is a community of Dakota people, specifically from the Wahpeton division of the Oceti Sakowin's eastern council fire.

Their presence in what is now Saskatchewan is tied to a pivotal and tragic event in American history: the Dakota War of 1862 in Minnesota. Following the conflict, which arose from the U.S. government's failure to honour treaty promises, many Dakota people were forced to flee their homelands to escape violence and persecution.

The ancestors of the Wahpeton Dakota Nation were among those who sought refuge and found a new home north of the border, near present-day Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. They were recognized by the British Crown as allies and independent peoples and were not part of the numbered treaties signed in that region. Today, the Wahpeton Dakota Nation is a vibrant community dedicated to the revitalization of the Dakota language, the practice of their cultural traditions, and the education of their youth, ensuring their distinct identity as Dakota people continues to flourish on the northern plains.