Chief Joseph Quotes (65 Quotes)


    These are senseless deaths in my personal opinion, ... I can't think of any reason I could give for these homicides.

    For a short time we lived quietly. But this could not last. White men had found gold in the mountains around the land of winding water.

    I would give up everything rather than have the blood of white men upon the hands of my people.

    I said in my heart that, rather than have war, I would give up my country.



    The first white men of your people who came to our country were named Lewis and Clark. They brought many things that our people had never seen. They talked straight. These men were very kind.

    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.

    My father... had sharper eyes than the rest of our people.

    Our chiefs are killed.... The little children are freezing to death.... My people have no blankets, no food.... My heart is sick and sad.... I will fight no more forever.

    I only ask of the government to be treated as all other men are treated.

    I have heard talk and talk, but nothing is done.


    When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.

    I believe much trouble would be saved if we opened our hearts more.


    Treat all men alike. Give them the same law. Give them an even chance to live and grow.

    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.

    We had good white friends who advised us against taking the war path. My friend and brother, Mr. Chapman, told us just how the war would end.

    Good words will not give me back my children.

    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.

    We're trying to bring all of that back, ... We've had teams come in, and we're encouraging public participation. It's a big community effort that's great for morale. It's good to have the townspeople come out to see our firefighting skills and get some good food and fellowship, too.

    Some of you think an Indian is like a wild animal. This is a great mistake.

    I saw that the war could not be prevented. The time had passed.

    A man who would not love his father's grave is worse than a wild animal.


    The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.

    An Indian respects a brave man, but he despises a coward.

    We're very happy with stable water, ... However, we're not convinced we're out of the woods yet.

    A chief called Lawyer, because he was a great talker, took the lead in the council, and sold nearly all the Nez Perce country.

    I saw clearly that war was upon us when I learned that my young men had been secretly buying ammunition.

    The white men told lies for each other. They drove off a great many of our cattle. Some branded our young cattle so they could claim them.

    I want the white people to understand my people.

    I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of white men by my people.

    She was in fear for her life, ... She had been told many times by Rafael that if she left him that harm would be done to her sister in Guatemala, or once she got to the United States that her mother would be harmed.

    I did not want my people killed. I did not want bloodshed.

    Governor Isaac Stevens of the Washington Territory said there were a great many white people in our country, and many more would come; that he wanted the land marked out so that the Indians and the white man could be separated.

    When my young men began the killing, my heart was hurt.

    You might as well expect rivers to run backwards as any man born free to be contented penned up.

    It does not require many words to speak the truth.

    We damaged all the big guns we could, and carried away the powder and the lead.

    Lawyer acted without authority from our band. He had no right to sell the Wallowa country.

    My father was the first to see through the schemes of the white man.

    Our people could not talk with these white-faced men, but they used signs which all people understand.


    We do not want churches because they will teach us to quarrel about God....

    It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and the broken promises.

    General Howard informed me, in a haughty spirit, that he would give my people 30 days to go back home, collect all their stock, and move onto the reservation.

    We did not know there were other people besides the Indian until about one hundred winters ago, when some men with white faces came to our country.

    All men were made by the Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers.

    I will obey every law, or submit to the penalty.


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