Morningcalm
Keeper of Records
The Sioux
Music: Lakota Lullaby (piano rendition here, other choral rendition with flutes here, and yet another choral rendition here)
This popular song seems to be repeatedly performed by different groups in different forms. It has a catchy melody, and simple lyrics translating to essentially: "Good-hearted boy, go back to sleep / The night is good / I have spoken" (I think this suitable for Sitting Bull, who was led by visions).
Leader: Sitting Bull
Leader Ability: Vision of Victory (Units gain extra strength when targeted for war by a more scientifically advanced enemy, and when they wage war against another civilization via casus belli. When targeted for war by a more scientifically advanced enemy, or when waging war via casus belli, gain (reduced) line of sight of enemy Encampment districts and Great Generals. Killing enemy units (including barbarians) in your territory or neutral territory garners faith.)
Historical Notes: Sitting Bull (c.1831-1890) was born to the Hunkpapa, a Lakota tribe. In his childhood, this famous and iconic Sioux holy man and leader was originally nicknamed "Slow" for his quiet demeanor. But after killing his first buffalo at 10, and knocking a warrior from his horse at 14, he earned the moniker "Sitting Bull". He was one of the fiercest opponents of U.S. encroachment onto the Sioux lands. Knowing unity among the tribes was necessary to defeat the U.S. Army, he drew numerous Lakota to his cause, and also Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. He frequently made guerrilla attacks on emigrants and forts, both during Red Cloud's War and during the Great Sioux War of 1876.
Sitting Bull was notoriously stubborn in his resistance to the U.S. government, refusing to agree to the Treaty of Fort Laramie (which ended Red Cloud's War with Sioux victory). The Treaty had included the U.S. government's promise to protect Sioux in their land. Sitting Bull's suspicions were confirmed when, after gold was found in the Black Hills, the U.S. went back on their promise to protect the Sioux in their land, and instead tried numerous tactics to take over the Black Hills (including attempts to purchase the land). The Sioux were eventually ordered to move onto reservations, and classified as "hostiles" when they refused, triggering the Great Sioux War of 1876.
As a holy man, Sitting Bull was known for his visions. In 1875, his Hunkpapa joined the Northern Cheyenne, Ogala, Sans Arc and Minneconjou for a Sun Dance (a ceremonial proceeding of immense import), and Sitting Bull around this time had a vision of soldiers "as thick as grasshoppers" falling upside down into the Lakota camp, which he took as a foreshadowing of a major Sioux victory--he was right; just three weeks later, the Lakota tribes and Northern Cheyenne defeated Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn. Sioux soldiers inspired by Sitting Bull's prophetic vision fought back against U.S. attacks on the Lakota and Cheyenne camp at Little Big Horn River (the camp was huge, with over 2,000 Native Americans having left their Indian reservations to follow Sitting Bull). Unfortunately, the Great Sioux War itself ended with the surrender of the Sioux (the victory at Little Bighorn alarmed the US government enough that many resources were used to fight the Sioux).
Sitting Bull fled with his group to Canada, where he met the Blackfeet (led by Crowfoot), long-time enemies of the Lakota and Cheyenne. Sitting Bull proposed peace with the Blackfeet (in a tobacco peace offering), which Crowfoot accepted. Eventually, Sitting Bull and his group were forced by hunger (Canada had smaller buffalo herds) to return to the United States, where he surrendered to the US government. Sitting Bull was transferred as a prisoner of war to a military fort before being taken to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. Sitting Bull was permitted to tour parts of Canada and the northern United States, during which time he made friends of Annie Oakley, a talented sharpshooter who Sitting Bull affectionately nicknamed "Little Sure Shot". Sitting Bull was allowed to leave his reservation thereafter to join Buffalo Bill Cody's Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, which he toured with for four months, earning money (most of which he donated to beggars and homeless people).
After Sitting Bull returned to Standing Rock, suspicions arose that Sitting Bull was giving support to the Ghost Dance movement (which preached resurrection of dead relatives to fight against white colonists, and included shirts said to stop bullets). Plans were drawn up to stop Sitting Bull's suspected flight from the reservation with Ghost Dancers, and police officers surrounded Sitting Bull's house, where upon they ordered Sitting Bull to mount a horse and speak with the Indian Affairs agent nearby. Sitting Bull refused to comply, and the police used force on Sitting Bull. Sitting Bull's enraged followers shot the police, who fired back, killing Sitting Bull. His legacy continues to inspire portrayals in popular media, as well as (oddly) the interest of a research team from the University of Copenhagen in sequencing Sitting Bull's genome (with the approval of Sitting Bull's descendants).
Leader Unit: Wicasa Wakan
Replaces inquisitor, with more movement speed and religious combat strength than the inquisitor, and can be purchased with faith as soon as the Sioux have created a holy district and a shrine (as opposed to a holy district and a temple).
Historical Notes: The wicasa wankan medicineman was not a "healer" with medicine as such, but rather a spiritual healer and priest of the old Lakota religion deemed to speak for all the wakan (spiritual) beings.
Leader Agenda: Great Sioux War. Dislikes those with many settled cities, and those who attack smaller empires. Likes smaller empires, and those who fight defensive wars.
Historical Notes: During the Great Sioux War of 1876, Sitting Bull's Hunkpapa group attacked forts and migrating parties, and attacked a survey party from the Northern Pacific Railway (they were conducting a survey for a route through Hunkpapa lands). Sitting Bull's attacks halted railroad construction through Lakota, Dakota and Nakota territory. The Lakota's alliance with the Cheyenne caused immense difficulties for the U.S. government, who had tried negotiating treaties, forcing Sioux onto reservations, and destroying camps to pacify the Sioux. The Sioux, for their part, took offense to emigrants entering their land, and the U.S. construction of forts near and within their territory, which they frequently attacked.
Civ Ability: Oceti Sakowin / Seven Fires Council
Historical Notes: The Sioux were a group of nomadic Native Americans, who formed the Great Sioux Nation, all members of the Seven Fires Council or "Oceti Sakowin".
Unique Unit: Zuya Wicasa (see Lakota Society, by James R. Walker, p. 77)
Mounted cavalry archer that replaces the knight, with the same range as a crossbowman. Gains extra strength when flanking units and when adjacent to other cavalry units.
Historical Notes: "Zuya wicasa" was the term the Dakota used to refer to one who engages in battle (typically foot soldiers following orders, as opposed to the "akicita" or marshals, who gave orders). Of course, numerous other special soldiers could be used as the Sioux unique unit, ranging from the Cheyenne Dog Soldier to a mounted rifleman (Lakota and Cheynne in the Battle of the Little Bighorn used repeating rifles, but the vast majority of Sioux kills in that battle came from bows and arrows or clubs).
Unique Infrastructure: Tipi.
Can be constructed by workers and military foot soldier units (i.e. not cavalry, tanks, etc) in your territory or in neutral territory; may not be placed directly adjacent to another "tipi" (each tipi should visually represent a cluster of tipis). Creates small cultural boundary which may not be culture bombed (and within which amenities may be improved, bonus resources harvested just for the Sioux faith bonus, etc). Grants extra food and faith in city boundaries, and extra combat strength to nearby units when constructed in neutral territory. Can, like Sioux cities, be packed up and moved (requiring civilian/military unit action on the Tipi tile improvement).
Historical Notes: The Lakota word "tipi" refers to durable cone-shaped dwellings used by Native Americans upon the Plains, typically made of animal skins (buffalo hides, etc) upon wooden poles often made of pine or cedar. They provide comfort year-round and can be quickly disassembled. Their portability was important to Native Americans upon the Plains, who lived a nomadic lifestyle.
Comments, criticism, discussion, etc. are all welcome. (I should note the Sioux are spoiled for leader choice: Red Cloud with his successful War (who probably could come with a universal movement bonus for his units), Crazy Horse, leader at Little Bighorn are also good choices, and Gall represents the Sioux in Age of Empires III: The Warchiefs expansion.
Notably, I did not work in buffalo/bison too much into this version, despite the Sioux reliance upon them, as the buffalo/bison do not exist as a resource in Civ VI, and I think giving civs unique bonuses with specific bonus/luxury resources may prove problematic.
I note that the design shifted towards religion/faith based victory given the importance of the spiritual in Lakota life, and particularly in Sitting Bull's life, as he was himself a "medicine man" who had prophetic visions. I think others could look to find more military angles for the Sioux, but hopefully the cocktail of bonuses created above for Sitting Bull and the Sioux are interesting enough to merit further discussion and subsequent refinement.
Music: Lakota Lullaby (piano rendition here, other choral rendition with flutes here, and yet another choral rendition here)
This popular song seems to be repeatedly performed by different groups in different forms. It has a catchy melody, and simple lyrics translating to essentially: "Good-hearted boy, go back to sleep / The night is good / I have spoken" (I think this suitable for Sitting Bull, who was led by visions).
Leader: Sitting Bull
Spoiler :
Leader Ability: Vision of Victory (Units gain extra strength when targeted for war by a more scientifically advanced enemy, and when they wage war against another civilization via casus belli. When targeted for war by a more scientifically advanced enemy, or when waging war via casus belli, gain (reduced) line of sight of enemy Encampment districts and Great Generals. Killing enemy units (including barbarians) in your territory or neutral territory garners faith.)
Historical Notes: Sitting Bull (c.1831-1890) was born to the Hunkpapa, a Lakota tribe. In his childhood, this famous and iconic Sioux holy man and leader was originally nicknamed "Slow" for his quiet demeanor. But after killing his first buffalo at 10, and knocking a warrior from his horse at 14, he earned the moniker "Sitting Bull". He was one of the fiercest opponents of U.S. encroachment onto the Sioux lands. Knowing unity among the tribes was necessary to defeat the U.S. Army, he drew numerous Lakota to his cause, and also Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. He frequently made guerrilla attacks on emigrants and forts, both during Red Cloud's War and during the Great Sioux War of 1876.
Sitting Bull was notoriously stubborn in his resistance to the U.S. government, refusing to agree to the Treaty of Fort Laramie (which ended Red Cloud's War with Sioux victory). The Treaty had included the U.S. government's promise to protect Sioux in their land. Sitting Bull's suspicions were confirmed when, after gold was found in the Black Hills, the U.S. went back on their promise to protect the Sioux in their land, and instead tried numerous tactics to take over the Black Hills (including attempts to purchase the land). The Sioux were eventually ordered to move onto reservations, and classified as "hostiles" when they refused, triggering the Great Sioux War of 1876.
As a holy man, Sitting Bull was known for his visions. In 1875, his Hunkpapa joined the Northern Cheyenne, Ogala, Sans Arc and Minneconjou for a Sun Dance (a ceremonial proceeding of immense import), and Sitting Bull around this time had a vision of soldiers "as thick as grasshoppers" falling upside down into the Lakota camp, which he took as a foreshadowing of a major Sioux victory--he was right; just three weeks later, the Lakota tribes and Northern Cheyenne defeated Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn. Sioux soldiers inspired by Sitting Bull's prophetic vision fought back against U.S. attacks on the Lakota and Cheyenne camp at Little Big Horn River (the camp was huge, with over 2,000 Native Americans having left their Indian reservations to follow Sitting Bull). Unfortunately, the Great Sioux War itself ended with the surrender of the Sioux (the victory at Little Bighorn alarmed the US government enough that many resources were used to fight the Sioux).
Sitting Bull fled with his group to Canada, where he met the Blackfeet (led by Crowfoot), long-time enemies of the Lakota and Cheyenne. Sitting Bull proposed peace with the Blackfeet (in a tobacco peace offering), which Crowfoot accepted. Eventually, Sitting Bull and his group were forced by hunger (Canada had smaller buffalo herds) to return to the United States, where he surrendered to the US government. Sitting Bull was transferred as a prisoner of war to a military fort before being taken to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. Sitting Bull was permitted to tour parts of Canada and the northern United States, during which time he made friends of Annie Oakley, a talented sharpshooter who Sitting Bull affectionately nicknamed "Little Sure Shot". Sitting Bull was allowed to leave his reservation thereafter to join Buffalo Bill Cody's Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, which he toured with for four months, earning money (most of which he donated to beggars and homeless people).
After Sitting Bull returned to Standing Rock, suspicions arose that Sitting Bull was giving support to the Ghost Dance movement (which preached resurrection of dead relatives to fight against white colonists, and included shirts said to stop bullets). Plans were drawn up to stop Sitting Bull's suspected flight from the reservation with Ghost Dancers, and police officers surrounded Sitting Bull's house, where upon they ordered Sitting Bull to mount a horse and speak with the Indian Affairs agent nearby. Sitting Bull refused to comply, and the police used force on Sitting Bull. Sitting Bull's enraged followers shot the police, who fired back, killing Sitting Bull. His legacy continues to inspire portrayals in popular media, as well as (oddly) the interest of a research team from the University of Copenhagen in sequencing Sitting Bull's genome (with the approval of Sitting Bull's descendants).
Leader Unit: Wicasa Wakan
Replaces inquisitor, with more movement speed and religious combat strength than the inquisitor, and can be purchased with faith as soon as the Sioux have created a holy district and a shrine (as opposed to a holy district and a temple).
Historical Notes: The wicasa wankan medicineman was not a "healer" with medicine as such, but rather a spiritual healer and priest of the old Lakota religion deemed to speak for all the wakan (spiritual) beings.
Leader Agenda: Great Sioux War. Dislikes those with many settled cities, and those who attack smaller empires. Likes smaller empires, and those who fight defensive wars.
Historical Notes: During the Great Sioux War of 1876, Sitting Bull's Hunkpapa group attacked forts and migrating parties, and attacked a survey party from the Northern Pacific Railway (they were conducting a survey for a route through Hunkpapa lands). Sitting Bull's attacks halted railroad construction through Lakota, Dakota and Nakota territory. The Lakota's alliance with the Cheyenne caused immense difficulties for the U.S. government, who had tried negotiating treaties, forcing Sioux onto reservations, and destroying camps to pacify the Sioux. The Sioux, for their part, took offense to emigrants entering their land, and the U.S. construction of forts near and within their territory, which they frequently attacked.
Civ Ability: Oceti Sakowin / Seven Fires Council
- Cattle and other bonus resources granting food grant extra production, culture and food when not harvested. Harvested resources generate a small lump sum of faith.
- Cannot build walls (partially increased tourism from religious artifacts and archaeological artifacts to compensate).
- Can move cities (requires city project completion, which creates a mobile city unit with the same combat strength as the city itself). While on the move, Sioux cities cannot build districts or buildings, and gain reduced resource generation bonuses (based on the districts present in that city before moving). Sioux cities on the move also have reduced resource generation from nearby tiles (including production, science, food, etc), and do not gain amenities from luxury resources. Cities may be resettled, and if resettled, may reconstruct districts for a lower price (if no eligible spot appears for a previously constructed district in the new city location, it is simply moved to the building queue for the normal construction cost). Resettled cities gain +3 amenities for 10 turns.
- Great General point generation increased by 50%, and cavalry units have increased line of sight and reduced maintenance costs.
Historical Notes: The Sioux were a group of nomadic Native Americans, who formed the Great Sioux Nation, all members of the Seven Fires Council or "Oceti Sakowin".
Unique Unit: Zuya Wicasa (see Lakota Society, by James R. Walker, p. 77)
Mounted cavalry archer that replaces the knight, with the same range as a crossbowman. Gains extra strength when flanking units and when adjacent to other cavalry units.
Historical Notes: "Zuya wicasa" was the term the Dakota used to refer to one who engages in battle (typically foot soldiers following orders, as opposed to the "akicita" or marshals, who gave orders). Of course, numerous other special soldiers could be used as the Sioux unique unit, ranging from the Cheyenne Dog Soldier to a mounted rifleman (Lakota and Cheynne in the Battle of the Little Bighorn used repeating rifles, but the vast majority of Sioux kills in that battle came from bows and arrows or clubs).
Unique Infrastructure: Tipi.
Can be constructed by workers and military foot soldier units (i.e. not cavalry, tanks, etc) in your territory or in neutral territory; may not be placed directly adjacent to another "tipi" (each tipi should visually represent a cluster of tipis). Creates small cultural boundary which may not be culture bombed (and within which amenities may be improved, bonus resources harvested just for the Sioux faith bonus, etc). Grants extra food and faith in city boundaries, and extra combat strength to nearby units when constructed in neutral territory. Can, like Sioux cities, be packed up and moved (requiring civilian/military unit action on the Tipi tile improvement).
Historical Notes: The Lakota word "tipi" refers to durable cone-shaped dwellings used by Native Americans upon the Plains, typically made of animal skins (buffalo hides, etc) upon wooden poles often made of pine or cedar. They provide comfort year-round and can be quickly disassembled. Their portability was important to Native Americans upon the Plains, who lived a nomadic lifestyle.
Comments, criticism, discussion, etc. are all welcome. (I should note the Sioux are spoiled for leader choice: Red Cloud with his successful War (who probably could come with a universal movement bonus for his units), Crazy Horse, leader at Little Bighorn are also good choices, and Gall represents the Sioux in Age of Empires III: The Warchiefs expansion.
Notably, I did not work in buffalo/bison too much into this version, despite the Sioux reliance upon them, as the buffalo/bison do not exist as a resource in Civ VI, and I think giving civs unique bonuses with specific bonus/luxury resources may prove problematic.
I note that the design shifted towards religion/faith based victory given the importance of the spiritual in Lakota life, and particularly in Sitting Bull's life, as he was himself a "medicine man" who had prophetic visions. I think others could look to find more military angles for the Sioux, but hopefully the cocktail of bonuses created above for Sitting Bull and the Sioux are interesting enough to merit further discussion and subsequent refinement.
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And as long as we're discussing Native American music, are you familiar with Haida singer Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson? She has a beautiful voice and sings in Haida. (Genuinely not trying to plug the Haida here--she just happens to be one of my favorite contemporary Native American musicians, along with the Oneida singers Joanne Shenandoah and Lawrence Laughing, who are probably a little more well known.)
