Kalolina Osai
Plight of the Natives
HIST-1700
16 July 2015
Chief Seattle and Chief Joseph were two great leaders Chief Seattle who was born many years before Chief Joseph was a
wealthy Indian it states, “He married well, taking wives from the important village of Tala’ltu on the western shore of Elliott Bay.
His first wife died after bearing a daughter, but a second bore him sons and daughters, and he owned slaves, always a sign of
wealth and status.” (Buerge n.d., online). He was a well respected Indian to those who knew him. Including the white men. He
was able to get into business with white settlers and seemed to be respected. When things went wrong for Chief Seattle and his
tribe they “fell victim, however to land hunger and the desire of many influential whites to keep their people separate from the
native population. This, however did not lessen Seattle’s friendship and loyalty.” (Buerge n.d., online)
Chief Joseph was a man of integrity. He was fortunate to encounter two white men named Lewis and Clark. Between Chief
Joseph and Lewis and Clark, they traded many things. “They made presents to our chiefs and our people made presents to
them. We had a great many horses of which we gave them what they needed, and they gave us guns and tobacco in return.”
(Chief Joseph n.d., online). It was a good relationship and respect was mutual. Then miners found gold in the mountains and
the miners started to take over the land. The Government stepped in and told Chief Joseph that he and Nez Perce leave
Wallowa Valley. This in return is how the Nez Perce War began.
Chief Joseph expressed that he wanted nothing but peace amongst his people and the white men. Chief Joseph and his
people gave some of their land to the American’s hoping it would bring peace among all. Unfortunately, that did not happen.
The white men became greedy and would not leave them alone. Chief Joseph and his people gave them a bit more of their land,
not wanting there to be any reason to start a war. It states that the white men “They stole a great many horses from us and we
could not get them back because we were Indians. They drove off a great many of our cattle.” (Chief Joseph n.d., online). Chief
Joseph and his people avoided as much trouble and bloodshed even though many of his people were killed. Chief Joseph
stated,”We could have avenged our wrongs many times, but we did not. Whenever the Government has asked for help against
other Indians we have never refused. When the white men were few and we were strong we could have killed them off, but the
Nez Perce wishes to live at peace." (Chief Joseph n.d., online)
In the Declaration of Independence it tells us that all men are created equal. Chief Joseph states, “The earth is the mother of
all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.” (Chief Joseph 1879, online). Chief Joseph’s main concern for the Nez
Perce Tribe was having the same rights as the white men. Even though the white men continually took from them, Chief Joseph
continued to keep peace between the Nez Perce and the white men. In our nation today all men are created equally. As long as
we follow the law we can continue to live in peace and be equal.
As for Chief Joseph, he gave many options of how to solve their problems against the Nez Perce Tribe. He states, “I only ask
the Government to be treated as all other men are treated. If I cannot go to my own home, let me have a home in a country
where my people will not die so fast.” (Chief Joseph 1879, online). Again, having equal rights was the main concern Chief Joseph
spoke of. He also states, “We only ask an even chance to live as other men live. We ask to be recognized as men. We ask that
the same law shall work alike on all men. If an Indian breaks the law, punish him by the law. If a white man breaks the law,
punish him also.” (Chief Joseph 1879, online). By having equal rights both Indian and white men could have lived in peace. If
the white men allowed Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce to live freely he states, “I will obey every law or submit to the penalty.”
(Chief Joseph 1879, online).
Plight of the Natives
HIST-1700
16 July 2015
Chief Seattle and Chief Joseph were two great leaders Chief Seattle who was born many years before Chief Joseph was a
wealthy Indian it states, “He married well, taking wives from the important village of Tala’ltu on the western shore of Elliott Bay.
His first wife died after bearing a daughter, but a second bore him sons and daughters, and he owned slaves, always a sign of
wealth and status.” (Buerge n.d., online). He was a well respected Indian to those who knew him. Including the white men. He
was able to get into business with white settlers and seemed to be respected. When things went wrong for Chief Seattle and his
tribe they “fell victim, however to land hunger and the desire of many influential whites to keep their people separate from the
native population. This, however did not lessen Seattle’s friendship and loyalty.” (Buerge n.d., online)
Chief Joseph was a man of integrity. He was fortunate to encounter two white men named Lewis and Clark. Between Chief
Joseph and Lewis and Clark, they traded many things. “They made presents to our chiefs and our people made presents to
them. We had a great many horses of which we gave them what they needed, and they gave us guns and tobacco in return.”
(Chief Joseph n.d., online). It was a good relationship and respect was mutual. Then miners found gold in the mountains and
the miners started to take over the land. The Government stepped in and told Chief Joseph that he and Nez Perce leave
Wallowa Valley. This in return is how the Nez Perce War began.
Chief Joseph expressed that he wanted nothing but peace amongst his people and the white men. Chief Joseph and his
people gave some of their land to the American’s hoping it would bring peace among all. Unfortunately, that did not happen.
The white men became greedy and would not leave them alone. Chief Joseph and his people gave them a bit more of their land,
not wanting there to be any reason to start a war. It states that the white men “They stole a great many horses from us and we
could not get them back because we were Indians. They drove off a great many of our cattle.” (Chief Joseph n.d., online). Chief
Joseph and his people avoided as much trouble and bloodshed even though many of his people were killed. Chief Joseph
stated,”We could have avenged our wrongs many times, but we did not. Whenever the Government has asked for help against
other Indians we have never refused. When the white men were few and we were strong we could have killed them off, but the
Nez Perce wishes to live at peace." (Chief Joseph n.d., online)
In the Declaration of Independence it tells us that all men are created equal. Chief Joseph states, “The earth is the mother of
all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.” (Chief Joseph 1879, online). Chief Joseph’s main concern for the Nez
Perce Tribe was having the same rights as the white men. Even though the white men continually took from them, Chief Joseph
continued to keep peace between the Nez Perce and the white men. In our nation today all men are created equally. As long as
we follow the law we can continue to live in peace and be equal.
As for Chief Joseph, he gave many options of how to solve their problems against the Nez Perce Tribe. He states, “I only ask
the Government to be treated as all other men are treated. If I cannot go to my own home, let me have a home in a country
where my people will not die so fast.” (Chief Joseph 1879, online). Again, having equal rights was the main concern Chief Joseph
spoke of. He also states, “We only ask an even chance to live as other men live. We ask to be recognized as men. We ask that
the same law shall work alike on all men. If an Indian breaks the law, punish him by the law. If a white man breaks the law,
punish him also.” (Chief Joseph 1879, online). By having equal rights both Indian and white men could have lived in peace. If
the white men allowed Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce to live freely he states, “I will obey every law or submit to the penalty.”
(Chief Joseph 1879, online).