"Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children"

Sitting Bull’s words, “Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children,” call for the unity of thought and purpose among people, transcending individual differences and focusing collective wisdom on shaping a better future for the next generation. Reflecting both pragmatism and profound empathy, it foregrounds the importance of community and collaboration in overcoming obstacles. The phrase “put our minds together” invokes an image of voices joined in dialogue, each contributing unique perspectives, experiences, and insights. Rather than imposing a singular solution or relying solely on one leader’s vision, this approach recognizes the richness found in diversity, urging everyone to participate actively in decision-making.

The underlying focus is on the wellbeing and possibilities available to children, a group that represents hope, potential, and the future continuity of values and culture. By emphasizing life “we can make,” Sitting Bull reminds us that the future is not predestined or static but shaped through conscious effort, collective agency, and intentional care. It’s not enough to merely survive or accept the status quo; people have the capacity and responsibility to envision and build a reality where children can grow, thrive, and inherit a world more just than the one before them.

Sitting Bull’s words also echo intergenerational responsibility, suggesting that the actions and decisions of the present will profoundly impact the lives of those yet to come. He calls upon his audience to set aside differences, confront shared challenges, and move beyond self-interest for the greater good. This sense of unity is especially poignant given historical contexts of struggle, displacement, and surviving adversity through solidarity. The statement ultimately acts as both an invitation and a moral imperative, urging people to come together, think creatively, act justly, and leave behind a legacy defined by care, resilience, and hope for the generations to follow.