I want the white people to understand my people.

Quote by Chief Joseph

Topics: Chief Joseph Quotes

I know that my race must change.

I know that my race must change.

The white men told lies for each other. They drove off a great many of...

The white men told lies for each other. They drove off a great many of...

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...

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...

I will speak with a straight tongue.

I will speak with a straight tongue.

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...

Good words will not give me back my children.

Good words will not give me back my children.

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.

We damaged all the big guns we could, and carried away the powder and the...

We damaged all the big guns we could, and carried away the powder and the...

I will obey every law, or submit to the penalty.

I will obey every law, or submit to the penalty.

My people were divided about surrendering.

My people were divided about surrendering.

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...

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

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

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...

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 required a strong heart to stand up against such talk, but I urged my...

It required a strong heart to stand up against such talk, but I urged my...

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

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

I said in my heart that, rather than have war, I would give up my...

I said in my heart that, rather than have war, I would give up my...

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...

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.