I learned then that we were but few, while the white men were many, and that we could not hold our own with them. We were like deer. They were like grizzly bears. – Chief Joseph An Indian’s View of Indian Affairs
If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace. There need be no trouble. – Chief Joseph Lincoln Hall speech, Washington.
We gave up some of our country to the white men, thinking that then we could have peace. We were mistaken. The white men would not let us alone. – Chief Joseph An Indian’s View of Indian Affairs, published by The American Review, 1879.
Treat all men alike. Give them the same laws. Give them all an even chance to live and grow. – Chief Joseph Lincoln Hall speech. On a visit to Washington, D.C., 1879.
An Indian respects a brave man, but he despises a coward. He loves a straight tongue, but he hates a forked tongue. – Chief Joseph An Indian’s View of Indian Affairs by Chief Joseph
He said to me: ‘When you go into council with the white man, always remember your country. Do not give it away. The white man will cheat you out of your home. I have taken no pay from the United States. I have never sold our land.’ – Chief Joseph His father Old Joseph’s advice to him when he attended a treaty council in 1863. An Indian’s View of Indian Affairs.
All men were made by the same Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers. – Chief Joseph Lincoln Hall speech, Washington.
These men were Frenchmen, and they called our people ‘Nez Perces,’ because they wore rings in their noses for ornaments. – Chief Joseph An Indian’s View of Indian Affairs
If you tie a horse to a stake, do you expect he will grow fat? If you pen an Indian up on a small spot of earth and compel him to stay there, he will not be contented nor will he grow and prosper. – Chief Joseph Lincoln Hall speech, Washington.
We were contented to let things remain as the Great Spirit Chief made them. They were not; and would change the rivers and mountains if they did not suit them. – Chief Joseph An Indian’s View of Indian Affairs
I do not understand why nothing is done for my people. I have heard talk and talk but nothing is done. – Chief Joseph Lincoln Hall speech, Washington.
We are going by you without fighting if you will let us, but we are going by you anyhow! – Chief Joseph To U.S. soldiers who demanded their surrender. An Indian’s View of Indian Affairs.
The white man has more words to tell you how they look to him, but it does not require many words to speak the truth. – Chief Joseph An Indian’s View of Indian Affairs
We live, we die, and like the grass and trees, renew ourselves from the soft earth of the grave. Stones crumble and decay, faiths grow old and they are forgotten, but new beliefs are born. The faith of the villages is dust now…but it will grow again…like the trees. – Chief Joseph Attributed
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. – Chief Joseph Referring to U.S. Army General Oliver Otis Howard. An Indian’s View of Indian Affairs.
The Great Spirit Chief who rules above will smile upon this land and send rain to wash out the bloody spots made by brothers’ hands upon the face of the earth. For this time the Indian race is waiting and praying. – Chief Joseph Lincoln Hall speech, Washington.
I am no child; I can think for myself. No man can think for me. – Chief Joseph An Indian’s View of Indian Affairs
The first white men of your people who came to our country were named Lewis and Clarke. They also brought many things that our people had never seen. They talked straight. These men were very kind. – Chief Joseph An Indian’s View of Indian Affairs
I saw clearly that war was upon us when I learned that my young men had been secretly buying ammunition. – Chief Joseph An Indian’s View of Indian Affairs
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. – Chief Joseph An Indian’s View of Indian Affairs
In this treaty Lawyer acted without authority from our band. He had no right to sell the Wallowa (winding water) country. – Chief Joseph At a treaty council in 1863. An Indian’s View of Indian Affairs.
I hope 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 Lincoln Hall speech, Washington.
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. – Chief Joseph An Indian’s View of Indian Affairs