As I sit here reflecting on teachings from the many people I have found in life, I think about the moments in life when we are all invited to make choices—choices that shape who we are and who we will become. These thoughts remind me of those crossroads, where we are asked to embrace courage, and not just any courage, but woohitika—the kind of courage that rises from deep within, connecting us to the Creator, our ancestors, and the earth.

I imagine the sun rising over the plains, casting that first golden light across the land, and how, even in the quiet of dawn, there is a sense of anticipation. A sense that every day, every choice we make, brings us closer to living in balance with all that is sacred. It’s like walking a path where the wind whispers the wisdom of those who have walked before us, and the earth beneath our feet supports us, reminding us that we are never alone.

Choosing Life with Courage

A particular teaching from a mentor reminded me of a story when people stood at a crossroads, asked to choose between two paths—one that led to life and another that led to destruction. It’s such a powerful image, isn’t it? Standing there, looking down those paths, knowing that your decision will change everything. But it’s also a reminder that the choice to live fully, to embrace life with all its beauty and challenges, requires woohitika.

For us, the Sioux people, we face these choices all the time. Whether it’s reclaiming our culture, tending to the land, or staying connected to the Creator, we are constantly asked to choose life. And that’s not always easy. Sometimes it feels like the world around us is pulling us in so many directions, asking us to settle for something less than what we know to be true and good. But when we dig deep, when we trust that courage—woohitika—we find ourselves able to walk forward, even when the way is uncertain.

Think about it. What are the choices you face today? Maybe they’re small, like choosing kindness in a tough moment. Or maybe they’re big, like stepping into something new and unfamiliar. Either way, woohitika is what carries us forward, reminding us that life, in all its beauty, is worth choosing.

Rooted Like the Tree by the Water

There’s a teaching about being like a tree planted by water—strong, rooted, always nourished. I love this image because it feels so familiar. Have you ever sat by a river, maybe on a warm afternoon, and just watched the way the trees sway gently in the breeze, their roots deep in the earth, always drawing life from the water? There’s something peaceful and comforting about it.

For me, the tree represents more than just strength; it symbolizes resilience and growth. Like that tree, we are nourished by the wisdom passed down through generations. I am rooted in my ancestors’ teachings, the God’s love, and the land that has always been home to my people. And just like the tree, my strength and that of my Indigenous people doesn’t come from standing still—it comes from being deeply connected to those roots. But staying rooted, especially when the storms of life hit, takes woohitika. It takes courage to remain grounded in who we are, even when life tries to pull us in a thousand different directions.

Take a moment to think about what keeps you rooted. Maybe it’s the love of your family, or the teachings you hold close, or even that quiet walk in nature that reminds you of who you are. These are the things that nourish us, that help us stand tall like the tree. And it’s woohitika that gives us the courage to stay rooted, no matter what life throws our way.

The Courage to Forgive and Heal

Forgiveness. Now, that’s a word that can be hard to wrap our hearts around sometimes. But there’s a teaching that reminds us of the power of reconciliation—not just between people but within ourselves. Forgiveness is like a key that unlocks the door to healing. It doesn’t mean we forget what happened or that we erase the pain, but it does mean we choose to heal, to move forward.

As Indigenous people, we carry the wounds of colonization, oppression, and loss. And yet, our teachings call us to a path of reconciliation. That takes a different kind of woohitika—a courage that isn’t about fighting or resisting, but about opening our hearts. It’s about saying, “I choose to heal, I choose to restore balance,” even when it feels impossible.

Have you ever felt the weight of holding onto something too tightly—maybe a grudge, maybe pain that’s hard to let go of? There’s a kind of relief in forgiving, like a deep breath after holding it in for too long. It’s freeing. Woohitika is the courage that lets us take that breath, to release what no longer serves us and allow healing to enter.

Letting Go to Walk the Sacred Path

Walking the sacred path isn’t always easy. It often means letting go—of old ways of thinking, of things that no longer serve us, or of relationships that no longer align with our journey. In my Lakota tradition, we understand the significance of sacrifice through ceremonies like hanblečeya (vision quest). It’s about going into the wilderness, seeking clarity, and trusting that the vision that comes will guide us forward.

I think of the times I’ve had to let go, to trust that by releasing what holds me back, I am making space for something new, something beautiful. And that’s the heart of woohitika—the courage to let go, even when it’s hard, knowing that the Creator and the ancestors are guiding us every step of the way.

What might you need to let go of today? What’s weighing you down or keeping you from walking the sacred path with lightness and joy? Woohitika gives us the courage to release, to trust that what’s waiting for us on the other side is greater than what we leave behind.

Embracing Woohitika

As I reflect on all of these teachings, I keep coming back to woohitika. It’s the thread that ties everything together. It’s the courage to choose life, to stay rooted, to forgive, and to let go. But it’s also the courage to find joy in the simple things—to laugh, to connect, to share a meal with loved ones, to watch the sunrise and feel the beauty of the world around us.

Woohitika reminds us that we are never walking this path alone. The Creator, the ancestors, and all of creation walk with us, supporting us, guiding us. So as we move forward, may we embrace woohitika in all its forms—big and small, serious and lighthearted—knowing that courage is what carries us through.

May we choose life, harmony, and love, and may we do it all with a smile in our hearts, trusting that the sacred path is always leading us home.