Quotes and anectdotes from the wise to the foolish, and the courageous to the drunk

Chief Joseph Author

  • Gender: Male
  • Born: Mar 3, 1840
  • Died: Sep 21, 1904

Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt, HinmatóowyalahtqÌ“it in Americanist orthography, popularly known as Chief Joseph, or Young Joseph, succeeded his father Tuekakas as the leader of the Wal-lam-wat-kain band of Nez Perce, a Native American tribe indigenous to the Wallowa Valley in northeastern Oregon, in the interior Pacific Northwest region of the United States.

He led his band during the most tumultuous period in their contemporary history when they were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands in the Wallowa Valley by the United States federal government and forced to move northeast, onto the significantly reduced reservation in Lapwai, Idaho Territory. A series of events which culminated in episodes of violence led those Nez Perce who resisted removal including Joseph's band and an allied band of the Palouse tribe to take flight to attempt to reach political asylum, ultimately with the Lakota chief Sitting Bull in Canada.

They were pursued by the U.S. Army in a campaign led by General Oliver O. Howard. This 1,170-mile fighting retreat by the Nez Perce in 1877 became known as the Nez Perce War.

My father... had sharper eyes than the rest of our people. dad

I saw clearly that war was upon us when I learned that my young men had been secretly buying ammunition. war

All men were made by the Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers. great & men

If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace. peace

I said in my heart that, rather than have war, I would give up my country. war

It does not require many words to speak the truth. truth

I know that my race must change. change

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. dad

Let me be a free man - free to travel, free to stop, free to work. travel & work

We had good white friends who advised us against taking the war path. My friend and brother, Mr. Chapman, told us just how the war would end. war

Treat all men alike. Give them the same law. Give them an even chance to live and grow. men

War can be avoided, and it ought to be avoided. I want no war. war

I only ask of the government to be treated as all other men are treated. government

It required a strong heart to stand up against such talk, but I urged my people to be quiet and not to begin a war. war

I saw that the war could not be prevented. The time had passed. war

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. sad

It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and the broken promises. good