“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.”
Chief Joseph“All men were made by the Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers.”
Chief Joseph“Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.”
Chief Joseph“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.”
Chief Joseph“My father... had sharper eyes than the rest of our people.”
Chief Joseph“I pressed my father's hand and told him I would protect his grave with my life. My father smiled and passed away to the spirit land.”
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.”
Chief Joseph“Let me be a free man - free to travel, free to stop, free to work.”
Chief Joseph“It does not require many words to speak the truth.”
Chief Joseph“Treat all men alike. Give them the same law. Give them an even chance to live and grow.”
Chief Joseph“It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and the broken promises.”
Chief Joseph