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 ask only that the law shall work alike on all men.
Chief Joseph
Image
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.
Chief Joseph
Image
It takes few words to tell the truth.
Chief Joseph
Image
We were like deer. They were like grizzly bear.
Chief Joseph
Image
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.
Chief Joseph
Image
It does not require many words to speak the truth.
Chief Joseph
Image
Good words will not give me back my children.
Chief Joseph
Image
I believe much trouble would be saved if we opened our hearts more.
Chief Joseph
Image
You might as well expect rivers to run backwards as any man born free to be contented penned up.
Chief Joseph
Image
We were taught to believe that the Great Spirit sees and hears everything, and that he never forgets that hereafter he will give every man a spirit-home according to his deserts: if he has been a good man, he will have a good home if he has been a bad man, he will have a bad home. This I believe, and all my people believe the same.
Chief Joseph
Image
When my young men began the killing, my heart was hurt.
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
I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.
Chief Joseph
Image
I will speak with a straight tongue.
Chief Joseph
Image
The Indian race is waiting and praying.
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
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
The first white men of your people who came to our country were named Lewis and Clark.
Chief Joseph
Image
I am tired of talk that comes to nothing.
Chief Joseph
Image
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.
Chief Joseph