The Sisitonwan Or Sisseton
It is evident that the Sisseton were formerly in seven divisions, the
Wita-waziyata-otina and the Ohdihe being counted as one; the Basdetce-cni
and Itokaq-tina as another; the Kaqmi-atonwan, Maniti, and Keze as a
third, and the Tizaptan and Okopeya as a fifth. When only a part of the
tribe journeyed together, the people camped in the following manner: The
Amdo-wapuskiyapi pitched their tents between the west and north, the
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Wita-waziyata-otina between the north and east, the Itokaq-tina between
the east and south, and the Kap'oja between the south and west. The
following are the Sisseton gentes (figure 31):
1. Wita-waziyata-otina, Village-at-the-north-island.
2. Ohdihe (from ohdihan, to fall into an object endwise). This gens is an
offshoot of the Wita-waziyata-otina.
3. Basdetce-cni (Basdece-sni), Do-not-split (the body of a
buffalo)-with-a-knife (but cut it up as they please).
4. Itokaq-tina (Itokali-tina), Dwellers-at-the-south (itokaga). These are
an offshoot of the Basdetce-cni.
5. Kaqmi-atonwan (Kalimi-atonwan), Village-at-the-bend (kalimin).
6. Mani-ti, Those-who-camp (ti)-away-from-the-village. An offshoot of the
Kaqmi-atonwan.
7. Keze, Barbed-like-a-fishhook. An offshoot of the Kaqmi-atonwan.
8. Tcan-kute (Can kute), Shoot-in-the-woods (among the deciduous trees); a
name of derision. These people, according to Ashley, resemble the Keze,
whom he styles a cross clan.
9. Ti-zaptan (Ti-zaptan), Five-lodges.
10. Okopeya, In-danger. An offshoot of the Ti-zaptan.
11. Kap'oja (Kapoza), Those-who-travel-with-light-burdens. (See number 3
of the Mdewakantonwan.)
12. Amdo-wapuskiyapi, Those-who-lay-meat-on-their-shoulders
(amdo)-to-dry-it (wapuskiya)-during-the-hunt.
[Illustration: FIG. 31.--Sisseton camping circle.]
FIG. 31.--Sisseton camping circle.