Theme: Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ (All Are Related)

Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ (All Are Related) is a phrase from the Lakota language. It reflects the world view of interconnectedness held by the Lakota people of North America. This concept and phrase is expressed in many Yankton Sioux prayers, as well as by ceremonial people in other Native communities.

The phrase translates in English as "all my relatives," "we are all related," or "all my relations." It is a prayer of oneness and harmony with all forms of life: other people, animals, birds, insects, trees and plants, and even rocks, rivers, mountains and valleys.

Although this phrase originated in Lakota culture,  it has become a sign of recognition by all peoples of native ancestry, especially those who are alienated from tribal tradition.

Notably the Dakota proverb, "We will be known forever by the tracks we leave," reminds us of our interrelatedness to all people, plants and animals.  What we do to another person or to our common home will be our legacy. We are called to be good stewards of our common home because we are all family. We are all related. 

As we travel to this sacred land, we will travel with a spirit of openness and respect. We go as listeners and learners. We also bring and share ourselves and our talents, our labor and our love. This community has much to teach us about suffering and trauma and the effects of colonialism. Native spirituality teaches us about our connectedness to each other and the earth and with those that have gone before us. We will also learn about strength, resilience and hope. We will return with a felt knowledge that we are all relatives. As stated by Chief Seattle, "Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect." Let us stand together in defense of the sacred.