KEENOOSHAYO (The Fish):  “You say we are brothers.  I cannot understand how we are so.  I live differently from you.  I can only understand that Indians will benefit in a very small degree from your offer.  You have told us you come in the Queen’s name.  We surely have also a right to say a little as far as that goes.  I do not understand what you say about every third year.”

MR. MCKENNA:  “The third year was only mentioned in connection with clothing.”

KEENOOSHAYO:  “Do you not allow the Indians to make their own conditions, so that they may benefit as much as possible?  Why I say this is that we to-day make arrangements that are to last as long as the sun shines and the water runs.  Up to the present I have earned my own living and worked in my own way for the Queen.  It is good.  The Indian loves his way of living and his free life.  When I understand you thoroughly I will know better what I shall do.  Up to the present I have never seen the time when I could not work for the Queen, and also make my own living.  I will consider carefully what you have said.”

MOOSTOOS (The Bull):  “Often before now I have said I would carefully consider what you might say.  You have called us brothers.  Truly I am the younger, you the elder brother.  Being the younger, if the younger ask the elder for something, he will grant his request the same as our mother the Queen.  I am glad to hear what you have to say.  Our country is getting broken up.  I see the white man coming in, and I want to be friends.  I see what he does, but it is best that we should be friends.  I will not speak any more.  There are many people here who may wish to speak.”

WAHPEEHAYO (White Partridge):  “I stand behind this man’s back” (pointing to Keenooshayo).  “I want to tell the Commissioners there are two ways, the long and the short.  I want to take the way that will last longest.”

NEESNETASIS (The Twin):  “I follow these two brothers, Moostoos and Keenooshayo.  When I understand better I shall be able to say more.”

MR. LAIRD:  “We shall be glad to hear from some of the Sturgeon Lake people.”

THE CAPTAIN (an old man):  “I accept your offer.  I am old and miserable now.  I have not my family with me here, but I accept your offer.”

MR. LAIRD:  “You will get the money for all your children under age, and not married, just the same as if they were here.”

THE CAPTAIN:  “I speak for all those in my part of the country.”

MR. LAIRD:  “I am sorry the rest of your people are not here.  If here next year their claims will not be overlooked.”

THE CAPTAIN:  “I am old now.  It is indirectly through the Queen that we have lived.  She has supplied in a manner the sale shops through which we have lived.  Others may think I am foolish for speaking as I do now.  Let them think as they like.  I accept.  When I was young I was an able man and made my living independently.  But now I am old and feeble and not able to do much.”