All Quotes by Chief Joseph
“We gave up some of our country to the white men, thinking that then we could have peace. We were mistaken. The white man would not let us alone.”
“We gave up some of our country to the white men, thinking that then we could have peace. We were mistaken. The white man would not let us alone.”
“I only ask of the Government to be treated as all other men are treated. If I cannot go to my own home, let me have a home in a country where my people will not die so fast.”
“When I think of our condition, my heart is heavy. I see men of my own race treated as outlaws and driven from country to country, or shot down like animals.”
“I know that my race must change. We cannot hold our own with the white men as we are. We only ask an even chance to live as other men live. We ask to be recognized as men. We ask that the same law shall work alike on all men. If an Indian breaks the law, punish him by the law. If a white man breaks the law, punish him also.”
“Let me be a free man, free to travel, free to stop, free to work, free to trade where I choose, free to choose my own teachers, free to follow the religion of my fathers, free to talk, think and act for myself — and I will obey every law or submit to the penalty.”
“All men were made by the Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers.”
“I hope that no more groans of wounded men and women will ever go to the ear of the Great Spirit Chief above, and that all people may be one people.”
“Treat all men alike. Give them the same law. Give them an even chance to live and grow.”
“It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and the broken promises.”
“Treat all men alike. Give them the same law. Give them an even chance to live and grow.”