Political Quotes

“today I wish to recognize the passage of time and a particularly significant event in this Nation's history. In a few short days, Tribal leadership, historians, community leaders, and the public will gather at the Fort Laramie National Historic Site in Wyoming to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the signing of the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie. As it did in the years preceding the signing of the treaty, the area around Fort Laramie, WY, will again serve as a place where cultures, minds, and governments meet. Over its history, the Fort Laramie area was home to Tribes of the Great Plains, represented a waypoint for emigrants as they traveled West, and became an economic center as trade routes were established. As conflict among Indian and non-Indian groups grew, Fort Laramie became a military post to quell disputes. History is marred by the years-long conflicts with Tribal communities. The 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie and others like it were intended to bring peace to whole regions of peoples. It took nearly 7 months to negotiate the contents of the treaty and gather signatories. Among the more than 200 signatories were Tribal leaders, U.S. Government officials, and military leaders. It is important to recognize and remember those who signed in the hope that the treaty would bring resolution to ongoing conflicts. Equally, we should reflect on those who did not sign, as that omission is an important part of this history.…”