Chief Joseph
Chief Joseph
Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt, Hinmatóowyalahtq̓it in Americanist orthography, popularly known as Chief Joseph or Young Joseph, succeeded his father Tuekakasas the leader of the Wal-lam-wat-kainband 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...
ProfessionWar Hero
Date of Birth3 March 1840
CityWallowa River, OR
father native-american law
Our fathers gave us many laws which they had learned from their fathers. These laws were good.
war want ought
War can be avoided, and it ought to be avoided. I want no war.
country home men
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.
men race white-man
I know that my race must change. We cannot hold our own with the white men as we are. We only ask an even chance to live as other men live. We ask to be recognized as men. We ask that the same law shall work alike on all men. If an Indian breaks the law, punish him by the law. If a white man breaks the law, punish him also.
mother country brother
Whenever the white man treats the Indian as they treat each other then we shall have no more wars. We shall be all alike - brothers of one father and mother, with one sky above us and one country around us and one government for all. Then the Great Spirit Chief who rules above will smile upon this land and send rain to wash out the bloody spots made by brothers' hands upon the face of the earth. For this time the Indian race is waiting and praying. I hope no more groans of wounded men and women will ever go to the ear of the Great Spirit Chief above, and that all people may be one people.
people want bloodshed
I did not want my people killed. I did not want bloodshed.
tongue speak
I will speak with a straight tongue.
country giving-up war
I said in my heart that, rather than have war, I would give up my country.
father men white-man
My father was the first to see through the schemes of the white man.
men asks
We ask to be recognized as men.
race knows
I know that my race must change.
native-american men white-man
If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indianwe can live in peace. There need be no trouble. Treat all men alike. give them all the same law. Give them all an even chance to live and grow.
men law asks
We ask only that the law shall work alike on all men.
father animal men
A man who would not love his father's grave is worse than a wild animal.