I surrender this rifle to you through my young son, whom I now desire to teach in this manner that he has become a friend of the Americans. I wish him to learn the habits of the whites and to be educated as their sons are educated. I wish it to be remembered that I was the last man of my tribe to surrender my rifle. This boy has given it to you, and now he wants to know how he is going to make a living.

Sitting Bull,  11:00 a.m., July 20, 1881

Fort Buford, Montana Territory