According to the article Genocide by Other Means in Indian Country Today.
At the basis of the Lakota culture is the buffalo. For thousands of years, the lives of the Buffalo Nation and the Lakota community were spiritually and physically hooked, as flock roamed free across the North American plains, this nomadic tribe followed.
As long as the North American buffalo roamed free and lavish, the Plains Indians were able to stay absolute. Buffalo were their lifeline—the Indians had a concerted relationship with them, and always dignified the mighty beasts for the many blessings they provided
