Dear Editor,

I would like to contribute a weekly quote in the Sunday issue of the Amandala from the book Respectfully Quoted, a dictionary of quotations edited by Zusy Platt. These quotations are used regularly and most people don’t know the history of how and when they were penned.

This week’s quotation is under the heading: PROMISES: The Great Spirit placed me and my people on this land poor and naked. When the white men came we gave them lands and did not wish to hurt them. But the white man drove us back and took our lands. Then the Great Father (President) made us many promises, but they are not kept. He promised to give us large presents and when they came to us they were small; they seemed to be lost on the way.
(SIOUX INDIAN Chief Red Cloud’s speech at the Council of Peace, New York City, June 15, 1870, as reported by The New York Times June 16, 1870 p.2)

Contributed by
Alfonso C Ramirez
Belize City