You might as well expect the rivers to run backward as that any man who was born free should be content when penned up and denied liberty to go where he pleases.
They are all brothers.
They are all brothers.My father... had sharper eyes than the rest of our people.A chief called Lawyer, because he was a great talker, took the lead in the council, and sold nearly all the Nez Perce country.For a short time we lived quietly. You are as you were made, and as you were made you can remain. . The faith of the villages is dust now... but it will grow again... like the trees.Lincoln Hall Speech in Washington D.C., January 14, 1879. . I never said the land was mine to do with it as I chose.
From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.
All men were made by the same Great Spirit Chief.
Some branded our young cattle so they could claim them.I cannot tell how much my heart suffered for my people while at Leavenworth.A man who would not love his father's grave is worse than a wild animal.My father was the first to see through the schemes of the white man.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 gave up some of our country to the white men, thinking that then we could have peace. We are all sprung from a woman, although we are unlike in many things. 1879
We do not want churches because they will teach us to quarrel about God. Give them an even chance to live and grow.Speech in surrendering to General Nelson Appleton Miles, October 05, 1877. We shall all be alike-brothers of one father and one another, with one sky above us and one country around us, and one government for all.The eye tells what the tongue would hide.You might as well expect rivers to run backwards as any man born free to be contented penned up.Hear me, my chiefs! I claim a right to live on my land and accord you the privilege to live on yours.We were taught to believe that the Great Spirit sees and hears everything, and that he never forgets; that hereafter he will give every man a spirit-home according to his deserts: if he has been a good man, he will have a good home; if he has been a bad man, he will have a bad home. A collection of quotes and thoughts by Chief Joseph on love, wisdom, violence, humanity, freedom, speeches, writings and poems. . Let me be a free man, free to travel, free to stop, free to work, free to trade where I choose, free to choose my own teachers, free to follow the religion of my fathers, free to think and talk and act for myself, and I will obey every law, or submit to the penalty.All men were made brothers. . Give them all an even chance to live and grow. They talked straight. The white man returns to me and says, "Joseph, I have bought your horses and you must let me have them." Give them an even chance to live and grow.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.If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace.It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and the broken promises.Let me be a free man - free to travel, free to stop, free to work.I want the white people to understand my people.I have heard talk and talk, but nothing is done.Our people could not talk with these white-faced men, but they used signs which all people understand.My people were divided about surrendering.We had a great many horses, of which we gave Lewis and Clark what they needed, and they gave us guns and tobacco in return.The white men told lies for each other. "Why use of Native American nicknames is an obvious affront" by Steve Wulf, www.espn.com. “Let me be a free man, free to travel, free to stop, free to work, free to trade where I choose, free to …