The Lakota carry not only their own problems but also the problems of their relatives into the sweatlodge. While the Christian Church is gradually moving toward an awareness of 'social sin,' the emphasis is still upon the sins of one's deepest heart. The Lakota sweatbath usually takes place with several and only occasionally with one; for Christian confessions, the reverse is usually true. But in communal penance ceremonies, the emphasis is moving away from forgiveness of my sins toward the forgiveness of our sins, for we in corporate groups make decisions and carry out actions which hurt others.

— The Pipe and Christ by William Stolzman (Page 51)