Chief Joseph
(Hinmton Yalektit)
(1840-1904)

Native American Leader

birthdate: ?
birthplace:
Wallowa Valley of northeastern Oregon

QUOTES

HUMAN RIGHTS
"The Earth is the mother of all people and all people should have equal rights upon it."

NO MORE WAR
I am tired of fighting.... from where the sun now stands, I will fight no more.

LAWS
Our fathers gave us many laws, which they had learned from their fathers. These laws were good. They told us to treat all people as they treated us; that we should never be the first to break a bargain; that is was a disgrace to tell a lie; that we should speak only the truth; that it was a shame for one man to take another's wife or his property without paying for it.

LIVING A LIFE OF COMPASSION
Good words do not last long unless they amount to something.

PEACE
If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian, he can live in peace. Treat all men alike. Give them a chance to live and grow.

TRUTH
It does not require many words to speak the truth.

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.

MORE QUOTES
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, "Pay me 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.

 

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