Quotations from Chief Joseph

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]
Surname/tag: Nez_Perce

Page of quotations attributed to Nez Perce Chief Joseph,

^[1]Quotations from Chief Joseph

The earth and myself are of one mind.

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

We were contented to let things remain as the Great Spirit made them.

I am tired of fighting from where the sun now stands, I will fight no more.

The Great Spirit Chief who rules above all will smile upon this land and this time the Indian race is waiting and praying.

Good words cannot give me back my children. Good words will not give my people good health and stop them from dying. Good words will not get my people a home where they can live in peace and take care of themselves.

We were taught to believe that the Great Spirit sees and hears everything, and that he never forgets, that hereafter he will give every man a spirit home according to his deserts; If he has been a good man, he will have a good home; if he has been a bad man, he will have a bad home.

I am tired of talk that comes to nothing. It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and all the broken promises. There has been too much talking by men who had no right to talk.

Recorded re-enactment of a Chief Joseph Speech (YouTube)

My son, my body is returning to my mother earth, and my spirit is going very soon to see the Great Spirit Chief. When I am gone, think of your country. You are the chief of these people. They look to you to guide them. Always remember that your father never sold his country. You must stop your ears whenever you are asked to sign a treaty selling your home. A few years more and white men will be all around you. They have their eyes on this land. My son, never forget my dying words. This country holds your father's body. Never sell the bones of your father and your mother.

Joseph said I clasped my father's hand and promised to do as he asked. A man who would not defend his father's grave is worse than a wild beast.

I am ^[2]tired of fighting, he said. Our chiefs are killed. Looking Glass is dead. Toohoolhoolzote is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say, Yes or No. He who led the young men Olikut is dead. It is cold, and we have no blankets. The little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills, and have no blankets, no food. No one knows where they are perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children, and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. 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.