Wakinyan

File:Blackhawk-spiritbeing.jpg

A dream of a Wakíŋyaŋ, drawing by Black Hawk (Sans Arc Lakota (ca. 1832–ca. 1890), Ledger art, ca.1880

Wakíŋyaŋ is a Lakota word for "thunder". It also may be a portmanteau which associates "wahka" ("sacred") and "kinyan" ("wings").

The word is usually translated as "Thunder Spirits", "Thunder Beings," or "Thunder Birds".<ref>Legendary Native American Figures: Thunderer (Wakinyan) </ref> Heyokas, that is contrarians, dream of Wakinyan and can burn cedar (Juniperus scopulorum) to protect themselves from thunder and lightning, since Wakinyan respect trees and will not harm them.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Filmmaker and storm chaser Martin Lisius produced a short film in 2016 titled, "Wakíŋyaŋ" which honors the Lakota "thunder spirit" Wakíŋyaŋ.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>