Chief Joseph

1879 speech at Lincoln Hall In Washington D.C.

If the white man wants to live in Peace with the Indian, we can live in Peace.
There need be no trouble.
Treat all men alike.
Give them the same law.
Give them all an even chance to live and grow.

You might as well expect the Rivers to run backwards. As that any man
who is born a free man should be contented when penned up and denied
liberty to go as he pleases.
We only ask an even chance to live as other men live.
We ask to be recognized as Men.
LET ME BE A FREE MAN.
Free to Travel
Free to Stop.
Free to Work.
Free to choose my own Teachers.
Free to Follow the religion of my fathers.
Free to Think and Talk and Act for Myself.

Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt

Chief Joseph

Sitting Bull