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Chief Joseph
Warriors Citation
Joseph was chief of the Nez Perce, a Native American tribe of the Wallowa Valley in Northwest Oregon. In 1877 the Nez Pierce
were ordered to a reservation, or special land reserved for Native Americans. The Nez Pierce refused to go. Instead, Chief
Joseph tried to lead 800 of his people to Canada. Fighting the U.S. Army all along their 1100 mile journey, they crossed Idaho
and Montana. They were trapped just forty miles from Canada. After a five-day fight, the remaining 431 remaining Nez Perce
were beaten. It was then, on October 5, 1877 at Bears Paw, that Chief Joseph made his speech of surrender.
I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed. Looking Glass is dead. Toohulhulsote is dead. The old men are all dead. It
is the young men who say yes or no. He who led the young men 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 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. From: historical accounts & records
LINK TO BRAVEHORSE WARRIORS VOLUME TWO
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