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

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...

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.

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 will speak with a straight tongue.

I will speak with a straight tongue.

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 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...

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

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

Good words will not give me back my children.

Good words will not give me back my children.

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

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

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.

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...

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...

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...

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 will obey every law, or submit to the penalty.

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

A man who would not love his father's grave is worse than a wild animal.

A man who would not love his father's grave is worse than a wild animal.

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...

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

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.