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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.

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
Mountain
Contented
Spirit
Suit
Change
Chief
Great
Chiefs
Made
Mountains
Things
Suits
Would
Rivers
Remain

More quotes by Chief Joseph

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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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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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Look twice at a two-faced man.
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All people should be treated the same way on earth.
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We were like deer. They were like grizzly bear.
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The earth is our mother. She should not be disturbed by hoe or plough. We want only to subsist on what she freely gives us.
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I will speak with a straight tongue.
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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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When the last deer disappears into the morning mist, When the last elk vanishes from the hills, When the last buffalo falls on the plains, I will hunt mice for I am a hunter and I must have my freedom.
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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.
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Finest fur may cover toughest meat.
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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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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.
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An Indian respects a brave man, but he despises a coward.
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I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.
Chief Joseph
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From where the sun now stands I will fight no more.
Chief Joseph
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My people were divided about surrendering.
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Our fathers gave us many laws which they had learned from their fathers. These laws were good.
Chief Joseph
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I saw that the war could not be prevented. The time had passed.
Chief Joseph
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We damaged all the big guns we could, and carried away the powder and the lead.
Chief Joseph