It does not require many words to speak the truth.
The Earth and myself are of one mind.
Too many misinterpretations have been made;
too many misunderstandings have come up.
It does not require many words to speak the truth.
The Earth and myself are of one mind.
Too many misinterpretations have been made;
too many misunderstandings have come up.
Chief Joseph
Hinmaton-Yalaktit, Hinmatóowyalahtq̓it (thunder rolling down the mountain)
(1840–1904)
I will tell you in my way how the Indian sees things. The white man has more words to tell you how they look to him, but it does not require many words to speak the truth.
~ Caption to a photo in the Washington State History Museum
The earth and myself are of one mind. The measure of the land and the measure of our bodies are the same. Say to us if you can say it, that you were sent by the Creative Power to talk to us. Perhaps you think the Creator sent you here to dispose of us as you see fit. If I thought you were sent by the Creator, I might be induced to think you had a right to dispose of me. Do not misunderstand me, but understand fully with reference to my affection for the land. I never said the land was mine to do with as I choose. The one who has a right to dispose of it is the one who has created it. I claim a right to live on my land and accord you the privilege to live on yours.
~ Speech rejecting the demands that he lead his people onto a reservation. (1876)
Too many misinterpretations have been made; too many misunderstandings have come up between the white men and the Indians. If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace. There need be no trouble. Treat all men alike. Give them the same laws. Give them all an even chance to live and grow. All men were made by the same Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers. The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it. You might as well expect all rivers to run backward as that any man who was born a free man should be contented penned up and denied liberty to go where he pleases. If you tie a horse to a stake, do you expect he will grow fat? If you pen an Indian up on a small spot of earth and compel him to stay there, he will not be contented nor will he grow and prosper. I have asked some of the Great White Chiefs where they get their authority to say to the Indian that he shall stay in one place, while he sees white men going where they please. They cannot tell me.
~ Lincoln Hall Speech (1879)
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West
by Dee Alexander Brown
Powerful Quotes From Chief Joseph That Will Change the Way You Live and Think
by White Wolf
http://www.whitewolfpack.com/2015/10/powerful-quotes-from-chief-joseph-that.html
“We live, we die, and like the grass and trees, renew ourselves from the soft clods of the grave. Stones crumble and decay, faiths grow old and they are forgotten but new beliefs are born. The faith of the villages is dust now…but it will grow again….like the trees. May serenity circle on silent wings and catch the whisper of the winds.”
It does not require many words to speak the truth.
No man can think for me.
The earth and myself are of one mind.
I believe much trouble and blood would be saved if we opened our hearts more.
Too many misinterpretations have been made … too many misunderstandings.
I am tired of talk that comes to nothing.
The Earth is the mothers of everyone, and everyone should have equal rights upon it.
You might as well expect the rivers to run backward than to believe that any man who was born free should be contented to be penned up and denied liberty to go where he pleases. We were contented to let things remain as the Great Spirit made them. This I believe, and all my people believe the same. Yox Kalo'(That’s all)