I want the white people to understand my people.

Quote by Chief Joseph

Topics: Chief Joseph Quotes

You might as well expect rivers to run backwards as any man born free to...

You might as well expect rivers to run backwards as any man born free to...

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

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

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.

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

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

We ask to be recognized as men.

We ask to be recognized as men.

All men were made by the Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers.

All men were made by the Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers.

The Indian race are waiting and praying.

The Indian race are waiting and praying.

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

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

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.

A man who would not love his father's grave is worse than a wild animal.

A man who would not love his father's grave is worse than a wild animal.

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

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

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

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

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

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

I cannot tell how much my heart suffered for my people while at Leavenworth.

I cannot tell how much my heart suffered for my people while at Leavenworth.

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

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

I will speak with a straight tongue.

I will speak with a straight tongue.

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.

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...

General Howard informed me, in a haughty spirit, that he would give my people 30...

General Howard informed me, in a haughty spirit, that he would give my people 30...

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

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