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

Quote by Chief Joseph

Topics: Chief Joseph Quotes

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.

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 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...

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

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

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

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

I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.

I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.

I will speak with a straight tongue.

I will speak with a straight tongue.

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.

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...

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.

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...

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...

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

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

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 know that my race must change.

I know that my race must change.

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...

Some of you think an Indian is like a wild animal. This is a great...

Some of you think an Indian is like a wild animal. This is a great...

My people were divided about surrendering.

My people were divided about surrendering.

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...

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...