Chief Joseph

I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of white men by my people. ”

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. ”

Lawyer acted without authority from our band. He had no right to sell the Wallowa country. ”

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. ”

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

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

We gave up some of our country to the white men, thinking that then we could have peace. We were mistaken. The white man would not let us alone. ”

I know that my race must change. ”

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

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. ”