Definition

Proper noun 1. A member of the Santee people: Refers to an individual belonging to the Santee, the easternmost division of the Sioux nation, historically inhabiting areas of present-day Minnesota, Iowa, and the Dakotas. 2. The dialect of the Dakota language spoken by the Santee: Refers to the specific variety of the Dakota language used by the Santee people.

Usage

• The Santee Dakota were historically a woodland people, unlike their Plains-dwelling Sioux relatives.
• Linguists study the Santee Dakota dialect to understand its unique features within the Siouan language family.

Advanced Usage

• As an attributive noun: The term is often used adjectivally to describe cultural or historical attributes.
  • Santee Dakota traditions include specific ceremonies and artistic styles.
  • The museum has an exhibit on Santee Dakota history.

Variants and Related Words

• Santee: A common shorter form used synonymously to refer to the people or their language.
• Eastern Dakota: Another term for the Santee Dakota, distinguishing them from the Western Dakota (Yankton-Yanktonai) and the Lakota.
• Dakota: The broader language and cultural group to which the Santee belong.
• Sioux: The larger confederacy of related tribes that includes the Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota peoples.

Synonyms

• Eastern Sioux
• Santee Sioux

Notes on Meaning

This term specifically denotes the eastern branch. It is important to distinguish it from the broader terms "Dakota" or "Sioux," which encompass larger groupings. The term carries significant cultural, historical, and linguistic specificity.

Noun

1. a member of the eastern branch of the Sioux