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You might as well expect rivers to run backwards as any man born free to be contented penned up.
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
Running
Wells
Penned
Contented
Might
Backwards
Well
Rivers
Men
Expect
Free
Born
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Finest fur may cover toughest meat.
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I will speak with a straight tongue.
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My people were divided about surrendering.
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When my young men began the killing, my heart was hurt.
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I know that my race must change.
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The first white men of your people who came to our country were named Lewis and Clark.
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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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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.
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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.
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Cursed be he that scalps the reputation of the dead.
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Treat all men alike. Give them the same law. Give them an even chance to live and grow.
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Lawyer acted without authority from our band. He had no right to sell the Wallowa country.
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The Indian race is waiting and praying.
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Look twice at a two-faced man.
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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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From where the sun now stands I will fight no more.
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All men were made brothers. The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it. You might as well expect the rivers to run backward as that any man who was born free should be content when penned up and denied liberty to go where he pleases.
Chief Joseph
