In Their Own Words....,

"The [beliefs] and habits of the Indian must be eradicated; habits of industry and economy must be introduced in the place of idleness...." Thomas Galbraith (Government Official)

• he's talking about not trading with the Dakota

• he's talking about making the Dakota assimilate to European American lifestyle

"It is true that the change of dress does not change their hearts, but in their estimation it does change their relations to the Dakota religion and customs. It is quite a step for an Indian to take..." Stephen Riggs (missionary)

• he is talking about converting the Dakota to Christianity

• he is talking about not trading with the Dakota

“At last the time for the payment came and the Indians came in to the agencies to get their money. But the paymaster did not come, and week after week went by and still he did not come” - Big Eagle (traditional Dakota leader)

• He's talking about the annuity payments not coming

• He's talking about the tension between farm and traditional Dakota

"So far as I am concerned, if they are hungry, let them eat grass or their own dung" Andrew Myrick (trader)

• he's talking about not being willing to trade with the Dakota

• he's talking about allowing the Dakota to hunt on their reservation

"I was still of the belief that it was not best [to go to war], but I thought I must go with my band and my nation, and I said to my men that I would lead them into the war, and we would all act like brave Dakotas and do the best we could." Big Eagle (traditional Dakota leader)

• He's talking about making the choice to go to war

• He's talking about how to get the traders to sell them goods

"An Indian came riding into camp, so frightened that he could not tell them what was the trouble...At last he said, 'the Dakota are killing the whites.' This was taking place four or five miles away but they could hear the guns. The children wakened and began to cry." Good Star Woman (farm Dakota)

• She's talking about becoming Christian

• She's talking about the start of the War

“Official agents ignored the warning signs of an Indian rebellion with unpardonable carelessness”

- Jacob Nix (newcomer)

• He's talking about the Government officials not caring about the Dakota

• He's talking about the farm Dakota and Traditional Dakota disagreeing