Quotes by 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. 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.”

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

“It does not require many words to speak the truth.”

“You might as well expect rivers to run backwards as any man born free to be contented penned up.”

“I am tired of talk that comes to nothing.”

“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 talk, think, and act for myself--and I will obey every law or submit to the penalty.”

“Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever - On his surrender to Gen. Howard.”

“This is the way we want to interact with everyone. . . . Thats always our goal. The more that we can interact on a positive level, the better, ... We are out there stressing cooperation and building positive relationships.”

“Thats been resounded by many people,”

“She was in fear for her life, ... She had been told many times if she left him, harm would come to (her relatives).”

I believe much trouble and blood would be saved if we opened our hearts more.

I hope that 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.

It required a strong heart to stand up against such talk, but I urged my people to be quiet and not to begin a war.

We had good white friends who advised us against taking the war path. My friend and brother, Mr. Chapman, told us just how the war would end.

The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.

It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and the broken promises.

Treat all men alike. Give them the same law. Give them an even chance to live and grow.

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

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

Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.