I know Great Spirit is looking down upon me from above, and will hear what I say.
Sitting BullRead
Therefore, I do not wish to consider any proposition to cede any portion of our tribal holdings to the Great Father.
Interpretation
Sitting Bull expresses a strong refusal to give up tribal land, emphasizing the importance of sovereignty and ownership.
In this quote, Sitting Bull articulates a deep connection to his people's land and rights. The term 'Great Father' refers to the United States government, symbolizing the authority that seeks to take control of Native American lands. By rejecting any proposition to cede tribal holdings, Sitting Bull underscores the values of independence, resistance, and the importance of preserving cultural identity against external pressures.
In practice
This quote can be used in a speech advocating for indigenous land rights.
I know Great Spirit is looking down upon me from above, and will hear what I say.
I want to tell you that if the Great Spirit had chosen anyone to be the chief of this country, it is myself.
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?
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?
I wish it to be remembered that I was the last man of my tribe to surrender my rifle.
God made me an Indian, but not a reservation Indian.
Scepticism, ironically, draws its life's blood from claims to have a good deal of knowledge. For example, your friends claim to know, 'Since every possible option has not been explored, nothing can be said for certain.' That statement is itself a claim to knowledge!
When you sit with a nice girl for two hours, it seems like two minutes; when you sit on a hot stove for two minutes, it seems like two hours. That's relativity.
Many of us actively working to interrupt racism continually hear complaints about the 'gotcha' culture of white anti-racism. There is a stereotype that we are looking for every incident we can find so we can spring out, point our fingers, and shout, 'You're a racist!'
Personally, when it comes to rights, I think one of two things is true. I think either we have unlimited rights, or we have no rights at all. Personally I lean towards unlimited rights, I feel for instance I have the right to do anything I please, BUT! If I do something you don't like I think you have the right to kill me.
The self is not something ready-made, but something in continuous formation through choice of action.
For nature by the same cause, provided it remain in the same condition, always produces the same effect, so that either coming-to-be or passing-away will always result.
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