Question

Chief Joseph says, "I know that my race must change." What changes do you think he is referring to?

Answer 1

Chief Joseph was a leader of the Wallowa band of Nez Perce, of the interior Pacific Northwest region of the U. S. in the later half of the 18th century. The following quote is attributed to him:

“I know that my race must change. We cannot hold our own with the white men as we are. 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.”

In this quote, Chief Joseph is referring to the changes that the Europeans brought with them, and that the Aboriginal people were forced to adopt. Forced removal from their ancestral lands, the adoption of English language and European traditions, their loss of political power, and their reduced freedom are some of the changes that the tribes had to suffer through. In this quote, Chief Joseph says that the Indigenous people are unable to resist these changes or to fight against them. However, they still want equal rights and treatment in this new society they are forced to subscribe to, particularly under the law.