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Among the [[strikethrough]]Dakotas[[/strikethrough]] ^[[ [[strikethrough]] Daotas[[/strikethrough]]  ]] ^[[Dakotah males]] the Soldier's Lodge is the acknowledged governing power.  Ordinarily it is resorted to for protecting the buffalo hunt-. It was just before the Great Minnesota Outbreak [[restored?]] into a War-Counsel.
Dr. Riggs says "The whole Indian system as adopted and acted upon by our government seems unwise.  We have in our treaty making assumed that the various Indian tribes occupying our territories are independent nations; where as they are wanting in all the elements of sovereignty, having no gov't & consequently no power to compel the fulfillment of treaty stipulations.  Not capable of making & enforcing laws for the protection of person & property, it became our duty as a great Xtian nation to act toward them the part of guardian making them amenable to law & bringing them under ^[[the]] controlling influence of Xtian civilization.  This we have failed to do." Ind. Dept for years proverbially corrupt & corrupting.

Transcription Notes:
xtian is an abbreviation for Christian