I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.

When the last deer disappears into the morning mist, When the last elk vanishes from the hills, When the last buffalo falls on the plains, I will hunt mice for I am a hunter and I must have my freedom.

I saw clearly that war was upon us when I learned that my young men had been secretly buying ammunition.

I do not believe that the Great Spirit Chief gave one kind of men the right to tell another kind of men what they must do.

I know that my race must change. We cannot hold our own with the white men as we are. We only ask an even chance to live as other men live. We ask to be recognized as men. We ask that the same law shall work alike on all men. If an Indian breaks the law, punish him by the law. If a white man breaks the law, punish him also.

We were like deer. They were like grizzly bear.

We ask only that the law shall work alike on all men.