- Leader | March 3, 1840 - September 21, 1904
We ask to be recognized as men.
Chief Joseph
MenAskRecognized
I hope that 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.
WomenHopeGreatMenPeopleGo
I will obey every law, or submit to the penalty.
LawWillObeySubmitEveryPenalty
I have heard talk and talk, but nothing is done.
DoneNothingTalkHeard
Words do not pay for my dead people.
WordsPeopleDeadPayDead People
My people were divided about surrendering.
PeopleDividedAboutWere
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.
MenPeopleWhiteCountryKnowFaces
My father... had sharper eyes than the rest of our people.
FatherEyesPeopleRestThanOur
For a short time we lived quietly. But this could not last. White men had found gold in the mountains around the land of winding water.
TimeWaterMenMountainsGoldShort
I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.
TroubleHardAvoidBloodshed
I know that my race must change.
ChangeKnowRaceMust
If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace.
LivePeaceManWhiteHeIndian
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