The earth and myself are of one mind. The measure of the land and the neasure of our bodies are the same
Chief JosephThe earth is our mother. She should not be disturbed by hoe or plough. We want only to subsist on what she freely gives us.
Chief JosephSuppose a white man should come to me and say, "Joseph, I like your horses. I want to buy them." I say to him, "No, my horses suit me; I will not sell them." Then he goes to my neighbor and says to him, "Joseph has some good horses. I want to buy them, but he refuses to sell." My neighbor answers, "Pay me the money and I will sell you Joseph's horses." The white man returns to me and says, "Joseph, I have bought your horses and you must let me have them." If we sold our lands to the government, this is the way they bought them.
Chief Joseph