Sioux and Dakota The Dakota culture changed greatly throughout the 19th century in many ways. The Dakota, being a people who were very centered on the value of honor and the family underwent a transformation with the coming of the white man. Undisturbed the Dakota were very apt to existing peacefully and fairly with the communities and tribes around them as long as the surrounding communities did the same. However, when the white man arrived and began to try to assimilate the Dakota into their culture, the tribe underwent drastic changes. For example, not only did the family values that the Dakota cherish disappear, so did all family stru