Sioux Indians are Native American Indians that are any part of the three main groups of the Great Sioux Nation. Sioux Indians are believed to have come to North America from Asia long before the appearance of European explorers and settlers. The Sioux Indians lived in the Dakotas, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming and were first discovered in North America by the French in 1640 along the Mississippi River. The Sioux Indians are among the most famous of the Plains Indians.
The Sioux Indians were nomadic and moved frequently, often following herds of buffalo. To compliment their nomadic lifestyles, the Sioux most often lodged in teepees (tipis) because they were easy to put up and tear down. Though the Sioux Indians moved around, they were a united tribe.
Hunting was the primary source of food for the Sioux. They ate meat from buffalo, bear, deer, and small game. Due to the fact that they were always moving, they did not plant crops, but would instead trade meat or furs with others for vegetables and other crops. Their food was shared amongst the entire tribe.
The religious culture of the Sioux Indians was rooted in the belief that everything had its own spirit and each spirit could change and manifest itself in a different way. The earth was the mother of all the spirits. Their ceremonious practices were centered around whichever spirit they were choosing to signify, but the Sun Dance was a regular custom that took place before each buffalo hunt where they paid tribute to the necessary spirits in hopes for a lucrative hunt.
Sioux Indians were lead by chiefs that had proven their worth as hunters and warriors and were able to demonstrate both wisdom and adherence to the rules for times of peace and times of war. The Sioux chiefs were very generous people, giving away much of whatever they came to possess in order to preserve harmony and show respect to others.