This is a picture of my sister's grandchild who in the Lakota way is also my Grandchild we would say he is our "takoja" He was welcomed into our family in the Lakota tradition way before he was born. We always spoke to him when we saw his mother to let him know we were happy he chose us. The following description regarding our beliefs is described by my hunka Auntie Pat Locke.
"Wankan Yeja"
"The birth of a child was very important to the Lakota. Their word for infant is "Wankan Yeja" (Waa-kan Ya-ja) which means sacred one, consecrated one, the being endowed with a spiritual quality. The Wankan Yeja is viewed as a gift from the Creator. The ancient Lakota belief was that the Wankan Yeja looked down from the spirit world to search for its parents and family. Then, when the Wankan Yeja chose and was born, girl or boy, for the family it was a time of joy and being thankful because the family was chosen by the Wankan Yeja to come to their family. Throughout the life of the child, he or she was loved by the parents and the "tiospaye" (extended family). The parents' role from before and after birth was to convey unconditional and genuine love to the "Wankan Yeja".
(Pat Locke- Hunkpapa Lakota Tribal Elder)
"The birth of a child was very important to the Lakota. Their word for infant is "Wankan Yeja" (Waa-kan Ya-ja) which means sacred one, consecrated one, the being endowed with a spiritual quality. The Wankan Yeja is viewed as a gift from the Creator. The ancient Lakota belief was that the Wankan Yeja looked down from the spirit world to search for its parents and family. Then, when the Wankan Yeja chose and was born, girl or boy, for the family it was a time of joy and being thankful because the family was chosen by the Wankan Yeja to come to their family. Throughout the life of the child, he or she was loved by the parents and the "tiospaye" (extended family). The parents' role from before and after birth was to convey unconditional and genuine love to the "Wankan Yeja".
(Pat Locke- Hunkpapa Lakota Tribal Elder)
As you can see by his wonderful smile and happy despostion that emanates from this picture he is happy he chose our family to come to. He will be cherished from now on. It's not just because we love him but he is the child of a beloved daughter, and the grandchild of a beloved sister.
What a beautiful story.
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