| CHIEF JOSEPH, Nez Perce:
In his final years, Chief Joseph spoke eloquently against the injustices of U.S. Government policies and racial discrimination against Indigenous peoples and he held out hope that America's promise of freedom and equality would one day be fulfilled for Native Americans as well.
Equal rights for American Indian peoples was a pretty big dream for our Native ancestors at the turn of the 20th century (late 1800s) when we stop to consider that most Indians were not even allowed to become U.S. citizens until Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 was made into law.
Chief Joseph's famous quotation:
“...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."
Excerpted from Chief Joseph's surrender speech
October 5, 1877
- Submitted by Ernie Salgado Jr., Ahmium Education, Inc.
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