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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.

Chief Joseph

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Chief Joseph
Age: 64 †
Born: 1840
Born: March 3
Died: 1904
Died: September 21
Tribal Chief
Wallowa Valley
Joseph Buruzagia
Hin-mut-too-uah-lat-kekht
Thunder Rolling in the Mountains
Heinmot Tooyalaket
Joseph the Younger
Thinking
Mistaken
Gave
Alone
Peace
White
Country
Would
Men

More quotes by Chief Joseph

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We were contented to let things remain as the Great Spirit Chief made them. They were not and would change the rivers and mountains if they did not suit them.
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Look twice at a two-faced man.
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I know that my race must change.
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I believe much trouble would be saved if we opened our hearts more.
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Good words will not give me back my children.
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Lawyer acted without authority from our band. He had no right to sell the Wallowa country.
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We had a great many horses, of which we gave Lewis and Clark what they needed, and they gave us guns and tobacco in return.
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I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.
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We were like deer. They were like grizzly bear.
Chief Joseph
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I only ask of the Government to be treated as all other men are treated. If I cannot go to my own home, let me have a home in a country where my people will not die so fast.
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It does not require many words to speak the truth.
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An Indian respects a brave man, but he despises a coward.
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I pressed my father's hand and told him I would protect his grave with my life. My father smiled and passed away to the spirit land.
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Let me be a free man - free to travel, free to stop, free to work.
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I am tired of talk that comes to nothing It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and all the broken promises. There has been too much talking by men who had no right to talk. It does not require many words to speak the truth.
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We did not know there were other people besides the Indian until about one hundred winters ago, when some men with white faces came to our country.
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We gathered all the stock we could find, and made an attempt to move. We left many of our horses and cattle in Wallowa. We lost several hundred in crossing the river.
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Our fathers gave us many laws which they had learned from their fathers. These laws were good.
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If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace.
Chief Joseph
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I saw clearly that war was upon us when I learned that my young men had been secretly buying ammunition.
Chief Joseph