I Was Born Where There Were No

I Was Born On The Prairies Where The Wind Blew Free And There Was Nothing To Break The Light Of The Sun. I Was Born Where There Were No Enclosures.

When A Child My Mother Taught Me The Legends Of Our People; Taught Me Of The Sun And Sky, The Moon And Stars, The Clouds And Storms. She Also Taught Me To Kneel And Pray To Usen For Strength, Health, Wisdom, And Protection. We Never Prayed Against Any Person, But If We Had Aught Against Any Individual We Ourselves Took Vengeance. We Were Taught That Usen Does Not Care For The Petty Quarrels Of Men.

I Should Never Have Surrendered. I Should Have Fought Until I Was The Last Man Alive.

While Living I Want To Live Well.

I Was No Chief And Never Had Been, But Because I Had Been More Deeply Wronged Than Others, This Honor Was Conferred Upon Me, And I Resolved To Prove Worthy Of The Trust.