top of page

ABOUT WKT

Wicahpi Koyaka Tiospaye is organized around seven natural laws that are the seeds of the spiritual teachings that each community member strives to imbibe and live by:

 

Wocekiye = faithfulness / prayer

Wowacinksapa = wisdom / bravery

Wonagiksapa = spirituality

Wowacintonka = fortitude

Wowaunsila = generosity

Wowaunhoun = respect

Wowahokunkiye = guidance, honoring and counseling

 

 

Central to a tiospaye (spiritual community) way of life is to strive to live by these spiritual laws and beliefs in thought, word and deed in daily life. 

 

Wicahpi Koyaka believes that preserving the traditional knowledge and cultural traditions of the People provides a pathway to wellness. Over the years of selfless work with our communities we have witnessed relationships kindle and develop into strong kinships. These kinships are nurtured by the spiritual sustenance that a “tiospaye” provides and have grown into life-long relationships that form and shape Wicahpi Koyaka Tiospaye.

 

Finally, it is also the purpose of Wicahpi Koyaka Tiospayeto preserve, maintain and pass on these traditional teachings for our future generations.

Wicahpi Koyaka Tiospaye (WKT) was founded in 1980 in Wanblee, South Dakota, Pine Ridge Reservation.  

 

It was incorporated as a non-profit in South Dakota on October 2, 2006 and received federal tax-exempt non-profit status on August 11, 2011.

 

WKT is an all-volunteer organization and the community is the membership at large.

photo Credits- Chris Bratt, Bob Edwards, Johnny Radzik.

bottom of page