The Lakota Sweat Lodge, known as Inípi, is a sacred purification ceremony rooted in the traditions of the Lakota people of the Great Plains. It dates back centuries and is deeply woven into the spiritual life of the Lakota Nation. The ceremony is considered a rite of renewal and rebirth, connecting participants with the spirits, ancestors, and the natural elements. The Inípi is one of the Seven Sacred Rites given to the Lakota by White Buffalo Calf Woman, a revered spiritual figure who brought the people their sacred ceremonies and taught them how to live in harmony with creation.

Traditionally, the sweat lodge is a dome-shaped structure built from willow branches and covered with blankets or hides to create a dark, womb-like space. At the center of the lodge lies a pit for heated stones, which are brought in from a fire outside. The ceremony is led by a spiritual leader or elder, who guides participants through rounds of prayer, singing, and steam-infused heat. Water is poured onto the hot stones to create steam, symbolizing the breath of the Great Spirit and facilitating a deep physical and spiritual cleansing. The ceremony typically includes four rounds, each representing different spiritual themes or prayers.

The Lakota Sweat Lodge serves not only as a physical detox but also as a communal spiritual experience that promotes healing, humility, and connection. Participants often enter with specific intentions—seeking clarity, strength, forgiveness, or gratitude—and emerge renewed. Respect for the ceremony is paramount, and traditional protocols include fasting, prayerful intention, and the guidance of a knowledgeable elder. Today, while variations of the sweat lodge exist in other Indigenous and even non-Indigenous settings, the traditional Lakota Inípi remains a sacred rite, protected and passed down with great care and reverence.

The Lakota family of Pine Ridge Reservation will be providing three sweat lodges this year for our gathering