“Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ” is a Lakota phrase and means “All my relations” or “We are all related“. This emphasizes that there is no separation between man and the environment in the worldview of the Native Americans. Everything is unifed, and everything is divine and holy.

This principle is represented by the Pow-Wow in this piece. A Pow-Wow is a Native American gathering where tribes come together to sing, dance, thank and celebrate. One purpose of the Pow-Wow is to strengthen the community spirit and to honor the Great Spirit, Mother Earth and the ancestors through the ceremonial songs, and to ask for their help in difficult days.

Thus, the Pow-Wow represents the principle of “Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ” here very well. Together, with all our relations, we join in this song of unity.

Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ

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