Part 3 – Wacantognaka (Generosity): The Power of Giving

A Culture Built on Sharing

In Lakota culture, Wacantognaka — generosity — is not just a good trait; it is a sacred responsibility. To be generous is to reflect the way of the Creator. Wacantognaka teaches that what we possess is meant to be shared with others. Our food, our time, our strength, our wisdom — all must flow through us like water, not stagnate like a hoarded pool.

The Meaning of Wacantognaka

The word Wacantognaka can be translated as “to have a generous heart.” But more literally, it reflects the act of opening oneself — the willingness to give of one’s abundance, one’s self, and even one’s own comfort for the sake of others. In this way, generosity is also a form of humility. It reminds us that all gifts come from Wakȟáŋ Tȟáŋka (the Great Mystery), and are not ours to keep for selfish gain.

Traditional Practices of Generosity

Historically, Lakota society was based on kinship and reciprocity. Families helped each other through the seasons, shared their hunts, and gathered for ceremonies that were as much spiritual events as they were acts of generosity.

One of the most visible expressions of Wacantognaka was the giveaway. Whether for a birth, a wedding, a healing ceremony, or a memorial, families would give away food, tools, blankets, horses, or handmade goods to honor their loved ones. The greater the generosity, the more the person’s honor was elevated in the eyes of the community — not for wealth, but for giving.

Another example is how skilled hunters were expected to share the first kill of the season with elders or widows. A warrior who had many horses might give them away to relatives in need, or as part of a ceremonial exchange to bind alliances.

The Role of Women in Generosity

Lakota women were traditionally the stewards of the household and the managers of food distribution. Their role in preparing feasts, organizing giveaways, and caring for children of extended family was central to community well-being. In this way, women were often seen as the “keepers of balance” — quietly but powerfully embodying Wacantognaka through their daily acts.

Grandmothers, especially, were recognized for giving not only physical items, but wisdom, comfort, and spiritual strength. Their generosity shaped generations.

Generosity as Power, Not Weakness

In a Western context, generosity is often mistaken for a passive virtue. But in Lakota teachings, it is an act of spiritual and social power. It strengthens bonds. It redistributes abundance. It humbles the ego. It connects the community to one another and to the sacred world.

Wacantognaka creates a spiritual economy where worth is measured not by what is kept, but by what is shared. It levels the field and reminds us that we all walk the same earth under the same sky.

Wacantognaka in Times of Crisis

During times of hardship — from the buffalo slaughter to the boarding school era, from droughts to the COVID-19 pandemic — Wacantognaka helped communities survive. Families took in orphaned children. Neighbors shared canned goods, propane, and firewood. Ceremonial bundles were passed to those who had lost theirs.

Even when we had little, we gave. And in doing so, we remained spiritually rich.

Generosity Today

Today, generosity lives in community food programs, elder outreach, Lakota immersion school fundraisers, and the everyday acts of kindness shown between neighbors on the Pine Ridge Reservation and beyond. Many Lakota families still host giveaways during celebrations and sacred gatherings.

Even small acts — driving someone to a clinic, gifting beadwork, preparing a meal — carry the spirit of Wacantognaka. These actions continue to stitch together the fabric of tribal life in a world that often rewards selfishness and accumulation.

Teaching Wacantognaka to the Next Generation

Children learn generosity by watching. They see their parents help neighbors. They are taught to serve elders at feasts. They are encouraged to give away toys or clothes during special events.

Schools and youth centers that integrate traditional values help raise a new generation that understands that giving is strength. That wealth is measured not in dollars, but in relationships and community care.

Conclusion: Returning to the Circle

As the world faces global inequality, climate change, and spiritual disconnection, the Lakota teaching of Wacantognaka offers a path forward. It is a return to the circle — to a way of living that centers generosity, compassion, and community.

To live with a generous heart is to walk in the footsteps of our ancestors. It is to understand that we are all related, and that our strength comes not from what we keep, but what we give away.

External Resources

• First Nations Development Institute – Native Community Giving
• Native American Rights Fund – Community Engagement
• Pine Ridge Community Initiatives

Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ – We are all related.