Top 57 Quotes by Chief Joseph

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.

We damaged all the big guns we could, and carried away the powder and the lead.

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

My father was the first to see through the schemes of the white man.

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.

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

You might as well expect rivers to run backwards as any man born free to be contented penned up.

I would give up everything rather than have the blood of white men upon the hands of my people.

The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.

The Indian race are waiting and praying.