In the days before all of the plains were covered
The bison never retreated, lifted black clouds
They moved in the herd
Single members could not be perceived
Together they had moved in numbers
In a fearsome wave of thunder
That shook the earth
They were slaughtered
Not truly for their meat
Or their hides
It was their absolute worth
To the indigine
Nothing that white society cared about
The slaughter was near complete
And consequence was devastation
It nearly killed the native nation
The bison were wiped out
In a form of genocide
And all humanity suffered
There can be no doubt
We cannot dwell side by side. Only seven years ago we made a treaty by which we were assured that the buffalo country should be left to us forever. Now they threaten to take that away from us. My brothers, shall we submit or shall we say to them: 'First kill me before you take possession of my land”
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