#10 Chief Joseph's 1879 speech in Washington DC
"The earth is the mother of all people..." Words on equality and justice that still resonate.
Chief Joseph was a powerful advocate for his people, the Nez Percé tribe, and his words on equality and justice still resonate with power today.
Nez Percé traditional lands covered northeastern Oregon, southeastern Washington, and central Idaho, but any perusal of history will show Chief Joseph was a great leader, facing a terrible future for his people with dignity, candor, and courage. Anyone living on these traditional lands needs to read his words, as they speak of a custodianship that must be honored.
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. 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.
— Chief Joseph, 1879, Washington DC
No speech from Chief Joseph as a leader can be free of grief, gravitas, and historical unfairness. But his words stand as a testament that no one’s circumstances define their bearing and ability to express themselves.