I know Great Spirit is looking down upon me from above, and will hear what I say.
Sitting BullRead
They claim this mother of ours, the Earth, for their own use, and fence their neighbors away from her, and deface her with their buildings and their refuse.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques the way humanity exploits and damages the Earth, treating it as a possession rather than a shared home.
Sitting Bull's quote expresses a profound concern for the environment and the relationship humanity has with the Earth. It highlights how people often claim ownership over natural resources, isolating themselves from their neighbors and neglecting the communal responsibility to care for the planet. The imagery of 'fencing' and 'defacing' suggests that this possessiveness leads to harm, both environmentally and socially.
Themes
EarthNatureEnvironmentOwnershipCommunity
In practice
Example use cases
In an environmental advocacy speech to raise awareness about climate change.
More from Sitting Bull
All quotes βI want to tell you that if the Great Spirit had chosen anyone to be the chief of this country, it is myself.
Sitting BullRead
Is it wrong for me to love my own? Is it wicked for me because my skin is red? Because I am Sioux? Because I was born where my father lived? Because I would die for my people and my country?
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When I was a boy, the Sioux owned the world. The sun rose and set on their land; they sent ten thousand men to battle. Where are the warriors today? Who slew them? Where are our lands? Who owns them?
Sitting BullRead
Therefore, I do not wish to consider any proposition to cede any portion of our tribal holdings to the Great Father.
Sitting BullRead
I wish it to be remembered that I was the last man of my tribe to surrender my rifle.
Sitting BullRead
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