New Lakota “Mothman” Sighting

Dakota Tbird

 The image of the “Thunder Being” or Thunderbird is a relatively rare one at the Jeffers site, appearing only 3 times. The multi-jointed wings in this glyph correspond to ethnographic descriptions from Dakota Indians recorded during the late nineteenth century. University of Minnesota.

I’ve received word today that “Mothman” (the term used by my Native informant) or Thunderbirds have been recently seen by individuals at the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, which is a Dakota and Lakota Indian reservation in North Dakota and South Dakota in the United States. Specifically, there may be some additional activity in Ziebach County, South Dakota, and/or among the Hunkpapa Lakota.

For the last two years, the Standing Rock Indian Reservation has been overwhelmed with many cases of youth suicides, and there is a sense of a link between the two – the “Mothman” sightings and, as it was said to me, the increasing “death toll.” This First Nation has experienced a high rate of youth suicide. In just two months in late 2004-early 2005, three teenagers and two young people took their lives. During the same time, 30 young people attempted suicide or made a suicide threat. The deaths by suicide continued in 2006, and may have for 2007, as well, for good data is lacking.

As shown above, Native rock and representative art reflects the sightings of the Thunderbird in earlier times.

Anyone have any further details from Indian Country?

Please see “More On Lakota Thunderbirds” for a map of the area.

^^^^^^^^^

The Standing Rock Sioux Reservation is situated in North and South Dakota. The people of Standing Rock, often called Sioux, are members of the Dakota and Lakota nations. “Dakota” and “Lakota” mean “friends” or “allies.” The people of these nations are often called “Sioux”, a term that dates back to the seventeenth century when the people were living in the Great Lakes area. The Ojibwa called the Lakota and Dakota “Nadouwesou” meaning “adders.” This term, shortened and corrupted by French traders, resulted in retention of the last syllable as “Sioux.” There are various Sioux divisions and each has important cultural, linguistic, territorial and political distinctions.Welcome to Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Website