I pressed my father's hand and told him I would protect his grave with my life. My father smiled and passed away to the spirit land.

My people were divided about surrendering.

If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian, he can live in peace. Treat all men alike. Give them all the same law. Give them all an even chance to live and grow. All men were made by the same Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers. The Earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it. Let me be a free man, free to travel, free to stop, free to work, free to trade where I choose, free to choose my own teachers, free to follow the religion of my fathers, free to think and talk and act for myself, and I will obey every law, or submit to the penalty.

I have heard talk and talk, but nothing is done.

Lawyer acted without authority from our band. He had no right to sell the Wallowa country.

I cannot tell how much my heart suffered for my people while at Leavenworth.

The Indian race is waiting and praying.