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.

Quote by Chief Joseph

Topics: Chief Joseph Quotes

I want the white people to understand my people.

I want the white people to understand my people.

Let me be a free man - free to travel, free to stop, free to...

Let me be a free man - free to travel, free to stop, free to...

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

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

Good words will not give me back my children.

Good words will not give me back my children.

I hope that no more groans of wounded men and women will ever go to...

I hope that no more groans of wounded men and women will ever go to...

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

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

We gave up some of our country to the white men, thinking that then we...

We gave up some of our country to the white men, thinking that then we...

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

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

Words do not pay for my dead people.

Words do not pay for my dead people.

I know that my race must change.

I know that my race must change.

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

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

War can be avoided, and it ought to be avoided. I want no war.

War can be avoided, and it ought to be avoided. I want no war.

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

The Indian race are waiting and praying.

The Indian race are waiting and praying.

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

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

I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of...

I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of...

My people were divided about surrendering.

My people were divided about surrendering.

I pressed my father's hand and told him I would protect his grave with my...

I pressed my father's hand and told him I would protect his grave with my...

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

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

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

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