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Chief Joseph

Chief Joseph Quotes

Author

Chief Joseph, whose real name was Hokowon, was a prominent leader of the Lakota Sioux tribe. Known for his leadership and pursuit of peace, he led the Sioux in their resistance against white settlers. During the Battle of Wounded Knee in 1890, he was forced to surrender and later led his people to be relocated to Oregon. His story has become a symbol of the Lakota's struggle and assimilation into American society.

Famous Chief Joseph Quotes

“I know that my race must change. We cannot hold our own with the white men as we are. We only ask an even chance to live as other men live. We ask to be recognized as men. We ask that the same law shall work alike on all men. If an Indian breaks the law, punish him by the law. If a white man breaks the law, punish him also.”

Ifs Knows Men Law Asks Chance White Race Break Indian White Man

Author:Chief Joseph

“Whenever the white man treats the Indian as they treat each other then we shall have no more wars. We shall be all alike - brothers of one father and mother, with one sky above us and one country around us and one government for all. Then the Great Spirit Chief who rules above will smile upon this land and send rain to wash out the bloody spots made by brothers' hands upon the face of the earth. For this time the Indian race is waiting and praying. I hope no more groans of wounded men and women will ever go to the ear of the Great Spirit Chief above, and that all people may be one people.”

“We gave up some of our country to the white men, thinking that then we could have peace. We were mistaken. The white man would not let us alone.”

Thinking Men Country White Our Country Mistaken White Man Gave Up

Author:Chief Joseph

“We soon found that the white men were growing rich very fast, and were greedy.”

Men Found White Rich Growing White Man Greedy Vaccines

Author:Chief Joseph

“The white men told lies for each other. They drove off a great many of our cattle. Some branded our young cattle so they could claim them.”

Men Young Lying White Claims White Man Cattle Branded

Author:Chief Joseph

“For a short time we lived quietly. But this could not last. White men had found gold in the mountains around the land of winding water.”

Men Lasts Found Water White Land Quiet Mountain Gold White Man Short Time Winding Down

Author:Chief Joseph

“I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of white men by my people.”

People Ifs Men Given My Own White Killing If I Could White Man My Own Life Undone

Author:Chief Joseph

“If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace.”

“Governor Isaac Stevens of the Washington Territory said there were a great many white people in our country, and many more would come; that he wanted the land marked out so that the Indians and the white man could be separated.”

People Men Said Country Wanted White Land Our Country Indian Territory Governors White Man Isaac

Author:Chief Joseph

“The first white men of your people who came to our country were named Lewis and Clark.”

People Men Firsts Kind Country White Our Country White Man Lewis And Clark

Author:Chief Joseph

“I believe much trouble and blood would be saved if we opened our hearts more. I will tell you in my way how the Indian sees things. The white man has more words to tell you how they look to him, but it does not require many words to speak the truth.”

Ifs Men Way Believe Looks Heart Doe Would Be Truth Speak I Believe White Trouble Blood Saved My Way Indian White Man Speak The Truth

Author:Chief Joseph

“Suppose a white man should come to me and say, "Joseph, I like your horses. I want to buy them." I say to him, "No, my horses suit me; I will not sell them." Then he goes to my neighbor and says to him, "Joseph has some good horses. I want to buy them, but he refuses to sell." My neighbor answers, "Pay me the money and I will sell you Joseph's horses." The white man returns to me and says, "Joseph, I have bought your horses and you must let me have them." If we sold our lands to the government, this is the way they bought them.”

“If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian, he can live in peace. Treat all men alike. Give them all the same law. Give them all an even chance to live and grow. All men were made by the same Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers. The Earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it. Let me be a free man, free to travel, free to stop, free to work, free to trade where I choose, free to choose my own teachers, free to follow the religion of my fathers, free to think and talk and act for myself, and I will obey every law, or submit to the penalty.”

“Whenever the white man treats the Indian as they treat each other, then we will have no more wars. We shall all be alike-brothers of one father and one another, with one sky above us and one country around us, and one government for all.”

Men War Country Government Father White Sky Brother Treats Indian Native Native American White Man Native America Native American Indian Great Native American Native American Earth Native Country

Author:Chief Joseph

“My father was the first to see through the schemes of the white man.”

Men Firsts Father White Schemes White Man

Author:Chief Joseph

“If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian, he can live in peace. There need be no trouble. Treat all men alike. give them all the same law. Give them all an even chance to live and grow.”

“I have asked some of the great white chiefs where they get their authority to say to the Indian that he shall stay in one place, while he sees white men going where they please. They cannot tell me.”

Men White Please Authority Chiefs Indian White Man

Author:Chief Joseph

About the Author

Born: March 3, 1841
Died: September 21, 1904
Known for: Author
Quotes: 97

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