Here's a brief intro to a novel I plan to write, titled "The Winjkte and the Warrior". It is set in the Midwest in the late 1800s, and is a cross between Pocahontas and Dances With Wolves. Please feel free to comment. And yes, I am part Lakota...

I must admit, though, there are a LOT of Siouxan words and phrases used, and translations are given where appropriate, although most can be gleaned purely through context. When I publish it, whether here or through Amazon, I WILL include a glossary to aid my readers.

So... I present to you the intro to "The Winjkte and the Warrior". Enjoy.
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It was a bleak November's morn when the wihuhcala tonpi left Yupiya Wi's tipi. The birth had not been easy for either of them. "Wakanyaja tupi!" Makoce Uci announced to the villiage. "The child is born! Tonight, we give thanks to Wakantanka for His rich blessings!"

The chief smiled. It was his second child, and now he KNEW that the tribe had some hope of survival, even though the White Men were trying to usurp everything they could from these gentle people of the Plains. They had come seeking the wakan wi inyan- the sacred Sun stones- or as THEY referred to it, mazaska zi- gold. It had not been an easy year for this Lakota tribe, as the mazawakan of the invaders had caused several of their gifted warriors to meet Wakantanka way too soon. Their arrows were no match for the White Men's iron gods, as their fire sticks tore through their ranks mercilessly. Wasake Moto had tried, on several occasions, to make peace with the mauraders, only to have them break their treaties whenever it befitted them. The White Scourge had no honor.

His firstborn, Kahwoke Nigesala, had proven to be both a brave and honorable warrior, fearless in battle and without peer as a hunter. Many times had he glimpsed the sacred thathanjka sanj, the legendary White Buffalo. Wasake hoped his son's hunt went well today, as the wasicu had decimated the bison population since their arrival. Nature had a precarious balance- a balance the White Men were all too happy to upset any chance they got- and if the tribe was going to survive the harsh winter ahead, stores needed to be put in quickly.

Staples- corn, potatoes and yams, turnips, and beans- had been laid up in the larders, and nuts- acorns, sunflower seeds, cashews, and peanuts- had been plentiful this year. Small game could be trapped, such as turkeys, squirrels, ducks, and jackrabbits, but the large game was becoming increasingly scarce, and with it, pelts and skins for clothing. A small trickle of tears stung Wasake's face as he thought that this might be their last winter in the valley.

Makoce gently nudged him, causing him to startle out of his thoughts. "Go," she said quietly. "Yupiya awaits your presence, and you must offer your blessings for the new babe."

Wasake said his thanks to the town's only living winjkte, handing her his spear as he did so. Of all the members of the tribe, only she had the authority to address the chief freely. He made his exit, quickly heading to his tipi, and his beloved.

As he walked in, he casually stoked the fire pit. Mother and child must be kept from the winter's chill. He greeted Yupiya warmly, and stretched forth his hands to hold the tiny babe. Reaching down to grab some ashes and a fistful of sand, he began the blessing chant. When he had finished, he threw the sand into the air, and rubbed the ashes gently on the babe's forehead. "Wakan Takan kici un" he ended, presenting the child to the Great Spirit for blessing. Handing the child back to Yupiya, he turned and gently kissed her. "Atanikili," he whispered, gently.

"Awesome, but tired, husband," she replied. "Lay he hun nee key wash tay!" she whispered, as she lay back on the mat and began suckling the child, smiling.

"It is, INDEED, a good day!" Wasake replied, as he lay beside his life-mate. "There may be hope for our peoples yet..."