We claim as far as the Black Hills at the Head of the Cheyenne River. There are wagon tracks all around on each side of the River. The road has been made by fighting and we want to be paid for those tracks. We claim both sides of the river. I was raised a little above Fort Thompson were I was born. All the men of my age were born on this side of the River and were raised there. We therefor claim both sides of the river. ‒TWO LANCE, FORT SULLY, AUGUST 31, 1867

Our Great Father is shutting up on us and making us a very small country. ‒IRON SHELL, FORT LARAMIE, APRIL 28, 1868

We want a reservation of land to be surveyed and have fenced off along the White River down to the Whetstone Creek along the Missouri River. We want that land respected by the whites. Protect us and keep the whites off it. ‒SWIFT BEAR, FORT LARAMIE, APRIL 28, 1868

I like to think that the land which the people traveled across and lived on had no boundaries, but only openness. How did the United States Representatives explain the “boundaries” to a people who had no concepts of “boundaries”  to say you can only go here and not there.  This was only the beginning of the grand plan that the United States Government had to get rid of the people. ‒DONALD F. MONTILEAUX, OGLALA SIOUX TRIBE 2019

The peeling corners of the ledger paper [in our piece] emphasize how brittle and frail the white man’s promises are to the native people. ‒WADE PATTON, OGLALA SIOUX TRIBE, 2019

Our people took their disrespectful claiming and altering land boundaries and learned to forgive. Our ancestors persevered through many traumatic events that had been forced upon us. Today we are still here surviving. Living. Loving. And being true to who we are.. The Great Sioux Nation. ‒GREG GREY CLOUD, CROW CREEK SIOUX TRIBE, 2019

Article 2. RESERVATION

The reservation includes all of the Missouri River across what is now South Dakota plus the existing reservations along its east bank, and is for the exclusive use and occupation of Oceti Sakowin citizens.

ARTICLE 2. The United States agrees that the following district of country, to wit, viz: commencing on the east bank of the Missouri River where the forty-sixth parallel of north latitude crosses the same, thence along low-water mark down said east bank to a point opposite where the northern line of the State of Nebraska strikes the river, thence west across said river, and along the northern line of Nebraska to the one hundred and fourth degree of longitude west from Greenwich, thence north on said meridian to a point where the forty-sixth parallel of north latitude intercepts the same, thence due east along said parallel to the place of beginning; and in addition thereto, all existing reservations on the east bank of said river shall be, and the same is, set apart for the absolute and undisturbed use and occupation of the Indians herein named, and for such other friendly tribes or individual Indians as from time to time they may be willing, with the consent of the United States, to admit amongst them; and the United States now solemnly agrees that no persons except those herein designated and authorized so to do, and except such officers, agents, and employes of the Government as may be authorized to enter upon Indian reservations in discharge of duties enjoined by law, shall ever be permitted to pass over, settle upon, or reside in the territory described in this article, or in such territory as may be added to this reservation for the use of said Indians, and henceforth they will and do hereby relinquish all claims or right in and to any portion of the United States or Territories, except such as is embraced within the limits aforesaid, and except as hereinafter provided.