We want a reservation on the White River, and when the buffaloes are gone we will go upon it and try to do it as the whites...Now, we want to live as our fathers have lived, on the buffalo and the deer that we now find on our hunting grounds. ‒SPOTTED TAIL, NORTH PLATTE, NOVEMBER 26, 1867

I dont remember ceding my territory to anyone. ‒ONE HORN, FORT LARAMIE, MAY 28, 1868

He [Red Cloud], Man-Afraid-of-His-Horse, and Brave Bear ... do not wish to abandon the chase and their country which so abounds in game for the lands of the reservation, which are new to them. ‒RED CLOUD, FORT LARAMIE, NOVEMBER 6, 1868

I wanted to encompass the relationship aspect of the treaty [between] my people and the U.S. government: these ever changing landscapes as a mother figure, the government as a father and we as the neglected generations of broken promises, rights, and this country’s failed attempt at being united. No amount of money or buildings or traits can ever replace the theft of our lands and we will be a constant reminder to white people, to the US government that these will always be our lands and that cannot be taken away. ‒JOEL WATERS, OGLALA SIOUX TRIBE, 2019

Article 15 made us feel a sense of false hope. On one hand, a permanent home was offered. Then that hope was taken by saying you can’t live anywhere else  exiled. They might as well have written this treaty in the sand. ‒NATHAN AND NOLAN WAGNER, ROSEBUD SIOUX TRIBE, 2019

Article 15. RESERVATION REGARDED as PERMANENT HOME

After construction of the buildings stipulated in Article 4, citizens will not make permanent settlements beyond the reservation.

ARTICLE 15. The Indians herein named agree that when the agency-house or other buildings shall be constructed on the reservation named, they will regard said reservation their permanent home, and they will make no permanent settlement elsewhere; but they shall have the right, subject to the conditions and modifications of this treaty, to hunt, as stipulated in Article 11 hereof.