I want the white people to understand my people.

Quote by Chief Joseph

Topics: Chief Joseph Quotes

For a short time we lived quietly. But this could not last. White men had...

For a short time we lived quietly. But this could not last. White men had...

I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.

I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.

Governor Isaac Stevens of the Washington Territory said there were a great many white people...

Governor Isaac Stevens of the Washington Territory said there were a great many white people...

We had good white friends who advised us against taking the war path. My friend...

We had good white friends who advised us against taking the war path. My friend...

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.

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

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

I will speak with a straight tongue.

I will speak with a straight tongue.

I saw clearly that war was upon us when I learned that my young men...

I saw clearly that war was upon us when I learned that my young 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.

My father... had sharper eyes than the rest of our people.

My father... had sharper eyes than the rest of our people.

Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where...

Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where...

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...

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

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

We gathered all the stock we could find, and made an attempt to move. We...

We gathered all the stock we could find, and made an attempt to move. We...

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.

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...

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.

My father was the first to see through the schemes of the white man.

My father was the first to see through the schemes of the white man.

When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.

When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.