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

Quote by Chief Joseph

Topics: Chief Joseph Quotes

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 did not know there were other people besides the Indian until about one hundred...

We did not know there were other people besides the Indian until about one hundred...

We ask to be recognized as men.

We ask to be recognized as men.

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...

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...

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...

I have heard talk and talk, but nothing is done.

I have heard talk and talk, but nothing is done.

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...

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...

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 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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

I saw that the war could not be prevented. The time had passed.

I saw that the war could not be prevented. The time had passed.

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

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

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.