Chief Joseph Quotes
I said in my heart that, rather than have war, I would give up my country.
I saw clearly that war was upon us when I learned that my young men had been secretly buying ammunition.
I saw that the war could not be prevented. The time had passed.
I want the white people to understand my people.
I will obey every law, or submit to the penalty.
I will speak with a straight tongue.
I would give up everything rather than have the blood of white men upon the hands of my people.
I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of white men by my people.
If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace.
It does not require many words to speak the truth.
It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and the broken promises.
It required a strong heart to stand up against such talk, but I urged my people to be quiet and not to begin a war.
Lawyer acted without authority from our band. He had no right to sell the Wallowa country.
Let me be a free man - free to travel, free to stop, free to work.
My father was the first to see through the schemes of the white man.
My father... had sharper eyes than the rest of our people.
My people were divided about surrendering.
Our people could not talk with these white-faced men, but they used signs which all people understand.
Some of you think an Indian is like a wild animal. This is a great mistake.
The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.
