“Kootenai elders pass down the history of the beginning of time, which tells that the Kootenai people were created by Quilxka Nupika, the Supreme Being, and placed on earth to keep the Creator-Spirit’s Covenant – to guard and keep the land forever. We have never lost sight of that, and by signing this treaty we continue to work to that purpose with our relatives – to be the guardians of the land forever. We stand in solidarity with the Piikani Nation and all of our brothers and sisters on this cause. Many blessings.”

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Gary Aitken Jr., Chairman of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho.