Dakota Moons Calendar 2026 - Gregorian

2026 DAKOTA

The Moons of the Lunar Year

Wiyawapi (Counting Moons)

These are the twelve moons that the Mdewa aŋṫuŋwaŋ Da ota observe throughout the year. Traditionally, the Dakota New Year (Óma a Ṫéca) starts with the spring season. A Dakota year will have the following twelve moons:

Dakota

Iṡta Wiċayazaŋ Wi

Maġa Okada Wi

Wóżupi Wi

Ważuṡteca Ṡa Wi

Ċaŋṗa Sápa Wi

Wasuṫuŋ Wi

Psiŋhnaketu Wi

Wáżupi Wi

Ṫahecapṡuŋ Wi

Ċaŋṗopapi Wi

Wiṫeḣi Wi

Wiċa Owe Wi

English

Sore Eyes Moon

Geese Egg Laying Moon

Planting Moon

Strawberry Ripening Moon

Chokecherry Ripening Moon

When Things Ripen Moon

Wild Rice Storing Moon

Final Harvest Moon

Deer Break Off Antlers Moon

Tree Popping Moon

Time of Hardship Moon

Tracks of the Raccoon Moon

Season

Wétu (Spring)

Mdoketu (Summer)

Ptaŋyetu (Autumn)

Waniyetu (Winter)

However, because the Dakota follow a thirteen lunar moon cycle, some years will have a thirteenth moon. It should also be noted that the seasons slightly shift when there are thirteen moons.

The thirteenth moon can be either of the following:

Waniċokaya Wi

Mdokeċokaya Wi

Midwinter Moon

Midsummer Moon

Calendar Months

A traditional Dakota moon does not fit into one civil (Gregorian) calendar month. Recently, there are some that use our Dakota moon names for the months of a civil (Gregorian) calendar. The following can be used instead as names for the calendar months:

Month

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Dakota

Wi Ṫokaheya

Wi Inuŋpa

Wi Iyamni

Wi Itopa

Wi Izaptaŋ

Wi Iṡakpe

Wi Iṡakowiŋ

Wi Iṡahdoġaŋ

Wi Inapciŋwaŋka

Wi Iwikcemna

Wi Ia ewaŋżi

Wi Ia enuŋpa

English

First Month

Second Month

Third Month

Fourth Month

Fifth Month

Sixth Month

Seventh Month

Eighth Month

Ninth Month

Tenth Month

Eleventh Month

Twelfth Month

Weekdays

Traditionally, a seven-day week is not a Dakota concept. However, after contact with settlers, the following terms have been used to refer to the days of the week.

Day of the Week Monday

Aŋpetu Ṫokaheya

Aŋpetu Inuŋpa

Aŋpetu Iyamni

Aŋpetu Itopa

Aŋpetu Izaptaŋ

Aŋpetu Iṡakpe

Aŋpetu Iṡakowiŋ

English

First Day

Second Day

Third Day

Fourth Day

Fifth Day

Sixth Day

Seventh Day

Concept of a Year

In the Dakota language, the word for year is óma a. The word for winter is waniyetu. In the Dakota culture, the year ends as the winter season ends and spring begins. Surviving the winter and seeing the earth become anew is very important to Dakota people. When talking about our age, we refer to how many winters we have survived. For example, see the following and try it yourself!

Q: Waniyetu nitonakca he?

(How many winters are you?) / (How old are you?)

A: Waniyetu wikcemna mayamni!

(I am 30 winters [years] old!)

A: Waniyetu mawikcemna!

(I am ten winters [years] old!)

A: Waniyetu wikcemna tópa sam mazaptaŋ!

(I am 45 winters [years] old!)

Waniyetu Wówapi

Counting moons (wiyawapi) is a traditional way of recording time throughout a year. Winter counts (waniyetu wówapi) are used to record years throughout generations. A winter count is usually a buffalo (ṫaṫaŋka) or deer (ṫáḣca) hide that is painted on. At the end of a Dakota year/winter, winter count keepers determine a significant occurrence of the past year/winter, and this would be painted onto the hide. This was done at the end of the year/winter, which would be during March in a civil (Gregorian) calendar.

Waning Crescent

Haŋwi T ’ e Kte

Moon Will Die

New Moon

Haŋwi T ’ a

Dead Moon

Third Quarter

Haŋwi Haŋke Ehake

Last Half Moon

Waning Gibbous

Haŋwi Yaṡpapi

Bitten Off Moon

Exploring MOON PHASES the cycle of

Waxing Crescent

Haŋwi Ṫéca

Young Moon

Full Moon

Haŋwi Hmibe

Circular Moon

First Quarter

Haŋwi Haŋke Ṫokaheya

First Half Moon

Waxing Gibbous

Haŋwi Ożudaŋ Áya

Moon Becoming Full

Man in the

Moon?

Some Dakota people say a buffalo can be seen in the moon. As Dakota people, we respect and honor the Ṫaṫaŋka Oyate, the Buffalo Nation.

Wiṫeḣi Wi

Time of Hardship Moon

December 19-January 17

wi – moon/time ṫeḣi – difficult or terrible wi – moon

This is usually the coldest time of the year. Bison robes are sometimes stacked five high. In addition to the extreme coldness and heavy snowfall, some people become ill. Although this is one of the hardest times of the year, this is also the time when storytelling takes place. Families get together and spend time with one another. One of our Dakota values, Wóokiya, is demonstrated by checking up on your elders and other family members to see if they are doing fine, and to offer support when needed.

JANUARY 2026

Wiċa Owe Wi

Tracks of the Raccoon Moon

January 18-February 16

wiċa – raccoon owe – tracks wi – moon

The name of this moon comes from a story about male raccoons during mating season. They tend to stay in dens or hollow trees during the coldest times of the winter. However, the air temperature during this moon fluctuates—the morning can be very cold, but the afternoon can be a little warmer. This can confuse the male raccoons to come out too early. It is said that one winter, a male raccoon climbed down from his tree too early. There were no female raccoons to be found. He paced in circles around his tree trunk. His path wore down the snow all the way to the ground.

FEBRUARY 2026

Wiċayazaŋ Wi

Sore Eyes Moon

February 17-March 17

iṡta – eyes wiċa – human yazaŋ – sore wi – moon

Winter is finally coming to an end. This is a time when Dakota people finalize their winter count (waniyetu wówapi). It is getting warmer and the snow starts to melt during the day. However, at night, the snowpack freezes again. On sunny days, a strong glare will reflect off of this icy snowpack. The glare is so strong that it can make your eyes sore. There is a story of long ago, when a Dakota woman became blind due to this harsh glare. Hunters had to be particularly careful during this time. Today, be sure to wear your sunglasses during long daytime trips.

MARCH 2026

Iṡta Wiċayazaŋ Wi (Sore Eyes Moon) Ends

Haŋke Ehake (Third Quarter Moon) Creation of BIA (1824)

Maġa Okada Wi (Geese Egg Laying Moon) Begins Haŋwi T’a (New Moon)

Ṫéca (New Year) Wétu (Spring)

Haŋke Ṫokaheya (First Quarter Moon)

OkadaMaġaWi

Geese Egg Laying Moon

March 18-April 16

maġa – goose okada – to lay eggs wi – moon

In our Dakota culture, the new year begins with the spring season. After a sometimes long, difficult winter, the arrival of spring is well received. The return of Canada geese through the camps of the Mdewa aŋṫuŋwaŋ Da ota is one sign that winter has ended and spring is here. In the past, food storage containers may have been severely depleted by the end of winter. The geese and their eggs provided a much-needed food source in the spring. The arrival of geese also lets us know that the ice is melting and the water ways are beginning to open up.

APRIL 2026

Iṡakowiŋ

Maġa Okada Wi (Geese Egg Laying Moon) Ends Wóżupi Wi (Planting Moon) Begins Haŋwi T’a (New Moon)

Planting Moon

April 17-May 15

wóżu – to plant pi – plural ending wi – moon

The very beginning of summer is the time to plant your garden. Even historically, Mdewa aŋṫuŋwaŋ Da ota had gardens that they maintained throughout the summer—the women and children sat on raised wooden platforms to keep a watch on their growing food. Today, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community operates Wóżupi Tribal Gardens, which grows certified-organic vegetables, herbs, and fruit. The farm also produces maple syrup.

MAY 2026

Ważuṡteca Ṡa Wi

Strawberry Ripening Moon

May 16-June 13

ważuṡteca – strawberry ṡa – red wi – moon

Berries, and particularly strawberries, provide many vitamins and nutrients. In the past, wild strawberries were very abundant and were heavily foraged for their nutritional benefits. It was important to know when strawberries became ripe, so that they could be harvested before they were eaten by animals and birds. Today, you can plant strawberries in your backyard and harvest them during this time.

JUNE 2026

Iṡakowiŋ

Mdokecokaya Wi (Midsummer Moon) Begins

Victory Day (The Battle of Little Bighorn) (1876)

Haŋwi T’a (New Moon)

Haŋke Ehake (Third Quarter Moon)

(1934)

Mdoketu (Summer)

Mdoke Wi Iṗa (Summer Solstice)

Haŋwi Haŋke Ṫokaheya (First Quarter Moon) Victory Day (The Battle of Little Bighorn) (1876) Smoke Signals Premieres (1998) 28 29 30

Haŋwi Hmibe (Full Moon) U.S. vs. Sioux Nation (1980)

Midsummer Moon

June 14-July 13

mdoketu – summer cokaya – middle or center wi – moon

Some people are unaware of the bark lodges used by Dakota people. Many think that only tipis were used as homes. However, bark lodges were the homes of the Dakota along the river during the warmer moons. Men and women shared the respon sibilities of building bark lodges. These lodges are waterproof, sturdy, and are equipped with benches, drying racks, and storage areas. You can experience a small model of a bark lodge inside the cultural exhibit at Hoċokata Ṫi: hocokatati.org

JULY 2026

Mdokecokaya Wi (Midsummer Moon) Ends Ċaŋṗa Sápa Wi (Chokecherry Ripening Moon) Begins Haŋwi T’a (New Moon)

Wasuṫuŋ Wi

When Things Ripen Moon

August 12-September 9

wa – generalizing term suṫuŋ – ripening of seeds wi – moon

The Dakota word for seed is su. During this moon, many of the fruits and vegetables with seeds become ready to harvest. These include squash, wild plums, beans, and corn. In the past, seed saving was very important for survival. While much of the food was eaten, time was taken to properly dry and store their seeds. Other tribes were often contacted and seeds were traded for goods. Today, plum seeds are used in traditional regalia and in a game called áŋta su.

AUGUST 2026

Iṡakowiŋ Aŋpetu Ṫokaheya

Mystic Lake Hotel Opens (1996)

Ċaŋṗa Sápa Wi (Chokecherry Ripening Moon) Ends American Indian Religious Freedom Act (1978) Wasuṫuŋ Wi (When Things Ripen Moon) Begins

Dakota-U.S. War Begins (1862)

T’a (New Moon)

Haŋwi Haŋke Ṫokaheya (First Quarter Moon)

Haŋwi Hmibe (Full Moon) Indian Arts & Crafts Board Established (1935)

Psiŋhnaketu Wi

Wild Rice Storing Moon

September 10-October 9

psiŋ – wild rice

éhnaka – to store, put, or stock tu – indicates time wi – moon

Wild rice has always been important to Dakota people. The first harvest begins in present-day northern Minnesota. This was an important time to begin the wild ricing process to create an ample winter supply. Even today, people go out onto the lakes with canoes and wooden knockers to harvest wild rice. It is a lengthy process—harvesting, hulling, drying, and storing—that can take up to several weeks. Today, wild rice can be enjoyed in many dishes.

SEPTEMBER 2026

Wi (When Things Ripen Moon) Ends

Wi (Wild Rice Storing Moon) Begins

Wáżupi Wi

Final Harvest Moon

October 10-November 8

wa – generalization term áżu – to lay up to dry pi – plural ending wi – moon

This moon marks the end of summer and that winter will soon be here. If the first harvest of wild rice is a success, this is one last chance to harvest more. Wild rice once grew in abundance in present-day southern Minnesota and it has always been valued for its high nutrient content. In the past and even today, many gardeners implement successive planting and stagger their crops to vary the harvest dates. It is during this time that the last crops of corn are gathered. This is also a time to prepare for winter by drying and properly storing food for the long winter months ahead.

OCTOBER 2026

Ṫahecapṡuŋ Wi

Deer Break Off Antlers Moon

November 9-December 7

ṫa – animals with antlers (deer) he – antlers or horns kapṡuŋ – to break off by hitting wi – moon

It is during this moon that deer go into rut. Bucks even fight with each other. They sometimes hit each other so hard that their antlers break off. Traditionally, Dakota people would not hunt deer during this time. Instead, time was used for preparing their winter camps and finalizing their winter food storage systems. Today, you can still see buck scrapings and broken antlers on the ground while bucks are in rut. The male deer do not naturally shed their antlers until January.

NOVEMBER 2026

Wi (Final Harvest Moon) Ends

(Little Six) and Wakan Ożaŋżaŋ (Medicine Bottle) Execution (1865)

Caŋṗopapi Wi

Tree Popping Moon

December 8-January 6

caŋ – tree

ṗópa – to pop or crack pi - plural ending wi – moon

The temperature is dropping and it is getting very cold. Bison robes would be stacked high to keep everyone warm. As winter sets in, the cold air freezes the lakes and rivers. It is so cold, that if you listen closely, you can hear the ash trees popping. They are sometimes as loud as gunshots. Dakota people take this as a sign to prepare for the very cold time that is about to come. Hunting for deer is also resumed during this time.

DECEMBER 2026

Dakota people have always had a strong relationship with the land.

We have lived in harmony with nature for thousands of years. Our moons are named after what is happening in our surrounding environment.

Uŋci Mak̇a (Grandmother Earth) provides us with what we need to survive.

Within this calendar, you will find the names, dates, and cultural significance of the traditional Dakota moons of the Ṡákpe Mdewa aŋṫuŋwaŋ—the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. A Dakota moon starts on the first day of a new moon (haŋwi t’a) and ends the day before the next new moon—approximately 28-30 days. For ease of understanding, these Dakota lunar cycles have been noted within the framework of the Gregorian 12-month calendar.

Please note, due to slight differences in geographical locations, other Dakota tribes may have varying moon names or dates of occurrences.

Did you know?

The Dakota word for moon is haŋyetuwi (night-time sun; shortened to haŋwi). The Dakota word for sun is aŋpetuwi, or simply wi. Please note that wi is sometimes used for moon (or month).