Quote

I know that my race must change.

Chief Joseph

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

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
Race
Change
Must

More quotes by Chief Joseph

Image
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
Image
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.
Chief Joseph
Image
Finest fur may cover toughest meat.
Chief Joseph
Image
I will speak with a straight tongue.
Chief Joseph
Image
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.
Chief Joseph
Image
The first white men of your people who came to our country were named Lewis and Clark.
Chief Joseph
Image
Cursed be he that scalps the reputation of the dead.
Chief Joseph
Image
I am tired of talk that comes to nothing.
Chief Joseph
Image
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.
Chief Joseph
Image
We damaged all the big guns we could, and carried away the powder and the lead.
Chief Joseph
Image
I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of white men by my people.
Chief Joseph
Image
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
Image
I have asked some of the great white chiefs where they get their authority to say to the Indian that he shall stay in one place, while he sees white men going where they please. They cannot tell me.
Chief Joseph
Image
We were like deer. They were like grizzly bear.
Chief Joseph
Image
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.
Chief Joseph
Image
From where the sun now stands I will fight no more.
Chief Joseph
Image
Big name often stands on small legs.
Chief Joseph
Image
Some of you think an Indian is like a wild animal. This is a great mistake.
Chief Joseph
Image
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.
Chief Joseph
Image
It takes few words to tell the truth.
Chief Joseph