Laws

The Dakota Indians had a unique way of constructing and enforcing their laws. These are some of the laws that were constructed by the Dakota people, "no man could hunt on his own or disturb other herds." Another was "young men of proven bravery acted as police men and they served as chiefs." The laws that the Dakota tribe would construct could not be laws unless all the members in that group agreed with it. These laws were made by the chiefs and tribal leaders. Those leaders were chosen from demonstrations of bravery, fortitude, generosity, and wisdom. Most of the leaders had been chosen by their war record. The constructing of laws and the way they were enforced were something that was a remarkable way the Dakota tribe became such a civilized group.