Quotes By Chief Joseph

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

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

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

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

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

We soon found that the white men were growing rich very fast, and were greedy.

I will speak with a straight tongue.

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.

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

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

I want the white people to understand my people.

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.

From where the sun now stands I will fight no more.

If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

The Indian race are waiting and praying.

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

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

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

When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.

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