Last Updated: 10 years Quotes from Southern Cheyenne peace chief, Black Kettle, also known as Motavato.

“All we ask is that we have peace with the whites. We want to hold you by the hand. You are our father. We have been travelling through a cloud. The sky has been dark ever since the war began. These braves who are with me are willing to do what I say. We want to take good tidings home to our people, that they may sleep in peace. I want you to give all these chiefs of the soldiers here to understand that we are for peace, and that we have made peace, that we may not be mistaken by them for enemies. I have not come here with a little wolf bark, but have come to talk plain with you.”

“Although the troops have struck us, we throw it all behind and are glad to meet you in peace and friendship. What you have come here for, and what the President has sent you for, I don’t object to, but say yes to it… The white people can go wherever they please and they will not be disturbed by us, and I want you to let them know… We are different nations, but it seems as if we were but one people, whites and all… Again, I take you by the hand, and I feel happy. These people that are with us are glad to think that we can have peace once more, and can sleep soundly, and that we can live.”

“We were once friends with the whites but you nudged us out of the way by your intrigues,and now when we are in council you keep nudging each other. Why don’t you talk, and go straight, and let all be well?”