Wasi'chu
Encyclopedia
Wašíču is the Lakota
and Dakota
word for people of non-indigenous descent, with derogatory connotations. It expresses the native population's perception of the non-Natives' relationship with the land and the native population. Typically it refers to white people
, but does not specifically mention skin color or race. The term "black wasichu" has been historically used to describe a person of African descent, and a Native American who adopted non-Native ways could "make himself over into a wasichu."
"Wasicun" means non-Indian. The Lakota word for "taking the fat" (wašin icu) is spelled and pronounced similarly, and it is used by natives in puns to refer to non-Natives who rob tribes of their resources.
In Dakota, Wašicu also means the English language
.
leader Black Elk
(1863—1950) used the term freely in his book, Black Elk Speaks
, referring to European-Americans who spoke dishonestly. "Wasichu
" is a fifth season episode of the television series Law & Order: Criminal Intent
, about a lobbyist and Indian gaming. Washichu is a rock band from New Orleans, Louisiana
.
Lakota language
Lakota is a Siouan language spoken by the Lakota people of the Sioux tribes. While generally taught and considered by speakers as a separate language, Lakota is mutually understandable with the other two languages , and is considered by most linguists one of the three major varieties of the Sioux...
and Dakota
Dakota language
Dakota is a Siouan language spoken by the Dakota people of the Sioux tribes. Dakota is closely related to and mutually intelligible with the Lakota language.-Dialects:...
word for people of non-indigenous descent, with derogatory connotations. It expresses the native population's perception of the non-Natives' relationship with the land and the native population. Typically it refers to white people
White people
White people is a term which usually refers to human beings characterized, at least in part, by the light pigmentation of their skin...
, but does not specifically mention skin color or race. The term "black wasichu" has been historically used to describe a person of African descent, and a Native American who adopted non-Native ways could "make himself over into a wasichu."
"Wasicun" means non-Indian. The Lakota word for "taking the fat" (wašin icu) is spelled and pronounced similarly, and it is used by natives in puns to refer to non-Natives who rob tribes of their resources.
In Dakota, Wašicu also means the English language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
.
In popular culture
Oglala LakotaOglala Lakota
The Oglala Lakota or Oglala Sioux are one of the seven subtribes of the Lakota people; along with the Nakota and Dakota, they make up the Great Sioux Nation. A majority of the Oglala live on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, the eighth-largest Native American reservation in the...
leader Black Elk
Black Elk
Heȟáka Sápa was a famous Wičháša Wakȟáŋ of the Oglala Lakota . He was Heyoka and a second cousin of Crazy Horse.-Life:...
(1863—1950) used the term freely in his book, Black Elk Speaks
Black Elk Speaks
Black Elk Speaks is a 1932 book by John G. Neihardt, an American poet and writer, who relates the story and spirituality of Black Elk, an Oglala Sioux medicine man or shaman. It was based on conversations by Black Elk with the author and translated from Lakota into English by Black Elk's son, Ben...
, referring to European-Americans who spoke dishonestly. "Wasichu
Wasichu
"Wasichu" is a fifth season episode of the television series Law & Order: Criminal Intent.-Plot summary:In this episode, Detectives Logan and Barek investigate the case of a Secret Service agent found murdered in her own home....
" is a fifth season episode of the television series Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Law & Order: Criminal Intent is an American police procedural television drama series set in New York City, where it was also primarily produced. Created and produced by Dick Wolf and René Balcer, the series premiered on September 30, 2001, as the second spin-off of Wolf's successful crime drama...
, about a lobbyist and Indian gaming. Washichu is a rock band from New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
.