When I was a boy, the Sioux owned the world. The sun rose
and set in their land; they sent ten thousand men into battle.
Where are the warriors today? Who slew them? Where are our
lands? Who owns them?
What white man can say I ever stole his land or a penny of
his money? Yet they say I am a thief.
What white woman, however lonely, was ever captive or insulted
by me? Yet they say I am a bad Indian.
What white man has ever seen me drunk ?
Who has ever come to me hungry and left me unfed ? Who has
ever seen me beat my wives or abuse my children? What law
have I broken?
Is it wrong of me to love my own? Is it wicked for me because
my skin is red? Because I am a Sioux? Because I was born where
my father lived? Because I would die for my people and my
country?
Sitting Bull - Teton Sioux
Click to see a photograph of Sitting Bull
Native American Legends A-B