I believe much trouble and blood would be saved if we opened our hearts more.
~ Chief Joseph
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.
It required a strong heart to stand up against such talk, but I urged my people to be quiet and not to begin a war.
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.
The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.
It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and the broken promises.
Treat all men alike. Give them the same law. Give them an even chance to live and grow.
It does not require many words to speak the truth.
Let me be a free man - free to travel, free to stop, free to work.
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.
When my young men began the killing, my heart was hurt.
All men were made by the Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers.
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 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.
My father... had sharper eyes than the rest of our people.
