The Wakpamni Lake Community: Honoring Tradition, Governing the Future
A Community Rooted in Tradition and Responsibility
Within the sovereign framework of the Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST), each of the nine Tribal Districts contains multiple self-governing Communities. These Communities function much like municipalities within a county and state system. Each one possesses delegated authority through the OST Constitution and tribal statutes, enabling local governance, economic development, and cultural preservation.
Among the six Communities that comprise the Wakpamni District, the Wakpamni Lake Community stands out as a modern governing body deeply rooted in Lakota tradition, cultural pride, and self-determination.
The Six Communities of Wakpamni District
The Wakpamni District consists of the following six local tribal municipal governments:
- #4 Payabya
- Calico
- Red Cloud
- Slim Buttes
- Wakpamni Lake Community
- Wolf Creek
Each Community elects its own leadership, including a Community President, Vice-President, and local officers, and manages its own planning, resource development, and tribal relations.
Recognition and Legal Reaffirmation
The Wakpamni Lake Community was formally re-confirmed on January 23, 1978, as one of the six officially recognized Community governments under OST Resolution 78-101. This reaffirmation established Wakpamni Lake as a self-governing local tribal government operating within the structure of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, with full rights to manage internal affairs, economic projects, and represent the interests of its residents.
Tiospaye Governance: Traditional Foundations
Wakpamni Lake is not just a modern municipal body—it is a vibrant network of tiospayes, or extended family groups, which have guided decision-making in Lakota society for generations. These tiospayes, including prominent families such as the Two Lance, Blue Bird, Yellow Hair, Lone Hill, Feather on Head, Has No Horse, Charging Thunder, Ghost Bear, Little Commander, and many others, remain the social fabric of the community.
While the current governance structure requires formal elections and administrative processes, Wakpamni Lake continues to honor traditional decision-making by involving matriarchal heads of families in community leadership. Each board member is a recognized matriarchal leader within their tiospaye, reflecting the tribe’s ancestral values and communal wisdom.
Language, Culture, and Sacred Duty
The Wakpamni Lake Community is proud to have one of the largest concentrations of fluent Lakota speakers and active traditional practitioners in the entire Oglala Sioux Tribe. Many ceremonies, language immersion programs, and sacred knowledge systems are preserved and protected here, thanks to the efforts of elders and cultural leaders.
This cultural richness is not treated as symbolic—it is central to the governance philosophy of the community. Preserving the Lakota language and lifeways is both a spiritual responsibility and a practical commitment woven into education, community planning, and leadership.
Modern Leadership, Traditional Values
As of November 2023, the elected President of the Wakpamni Lake Community Municipal Government is Sandy Two Lance, a respected matriarch and advocate for culture, youth empowerment, and intergenerational community development. Under her leadership, the community continues to pursue initiatives that blend sovereign governance, cultural education, food sovereignty, housing development, and elder services.
The Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and board members serve alongside her, ensuring that governance remains accountable, transparent, and rooted in community consultation and Lakota teachings.
Economic Development Through WLCC
To manage and expand its economic initiatives, the Wakpamni Lake Community established the Wakpamni Lake Community Corporation (WLCC). This tribally owned enterprise acts as the economic development arm of the community, pursuing projects that generate local jobs, revenue, and strategic partnerships.
WLCC operates in alignment with cultural values and sovereignty, supporting sustainable industries such as agriculture, green technology, tribal tourism, and infrastructure improvement. The goal is to create a resilient local economy while ensuring that all activities benefit the people of Wakpamni first and foremost.
A Living Legacy
The Wakpamni Lake Community is more than a local government—it is a living legacy of Lakota resilience, identity, and innovation. From its reaffirmation in 1978 to its forward-looking leadership today, Wakpamni Lake continues to embody the principle that local control, cultural pride, and unity among tiospayes form the foundation of tribal sovereignty.
In every action—from electing leaders to hosting ceremonies—Wakpamni honors the ancestors and builds for the future. It remains a powerful model of how traditional governance and modern tribal administration can coexist, thrive, and empower generations to come.
“Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ”—We are all related, and together, we govern with the wisdom of those who came before us.