The first white men of your people who came to our country were named Lewis and Clark. They brought many things that our people had never seen. They talked straight. These men were very kind.

Quote by Chief Joseph

Topics: Chief Joseph Quotes

Good words will not give me back my children.

Good words will not give me back my children.

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...

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 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 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...

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 want the white people to understand my people.

I want the white people to understand my people.

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...

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.

When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.

When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.

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.

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...

I am tired of talk that comes to nothing.

I am tired of talk that comes to nothing.

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 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...

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...

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...

I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.

I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.

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.