What treaty have the Sioux made with the white man that we have broken? Not one. What treaty have the white man ever made with us that they have kept? Not one.

Therefore, I do not wish to consider any proposition to cede any portion of our tribal holdings to the Great Father.

Each man is good in the sight of the Great Spirit. It is not necessary for eagles to be crows. Now we are poor but we are free. No white man controls our footsteps. If we must die, we die defending our rights.

I want to tell you that if the Great Spirit had chosen anyone to be the chief of this country, it is myself.

The life my people want is a life of freedom. I have seen nothing that a white man has, houses or railways or clothing or food, that is as good as the right to move in the open country and live in our fashion.

What treaty have the Sioux made with the white man that we have broken? Not one. What treaty have the white man ever made with us that they have kept? Not one.

What white man can say I never stole his land or a penny of his money? Yet they say that I am a thief.