Oceti Sakowin Writers Society Oceti Sakowin Writers Society Your Custom Text Here Oceti Sakowin Writers Society Home Since 1993 the OSWS has endeavored to strengthen and preserve Dakota Lakota and Nakota cultures through the development of culturebased writing. Our Beginning The Oceti Sakowin Writers Society formerly known as the Oak Lake Writers Society emerged from the annual retreats that members of the South Dakota State University and Brookings communities began hosting for tribal writers and tribal mentors at the Oak Lake Field Station near Astoria South Dakota. Our Work The Oceti Sakowin Writers Society holds an annual writing retreat for enrolled tribal members of the Oceti Sakowin Oyate. We have also published several volumes of writing by our members and support various conferences and other events.