Exerpts from this page (well worth a look)
Chief Joseph's Land, by David Manuel
I Will Fight No More Forever
Surrender Speech by Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce
Surrender Speech by Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce
I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed. Looking Glass is dead. Toohulhulsoteis dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say yes or no. He who led the young men is dead.
It is cold and we have no blankets. The little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills and have no blankets, no food. No one knows where they are--perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children and see how many I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead.
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.
It is cold and we have no blankets. The little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills and have no blankets, no food. No one knows where they are--perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children and see how many I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead.
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.
Also the title of a movie made to record the events.
I received this movie as a gift from Martin, for Christmas, and tonight we sat down to watch it. initially I though , hmm, another "Hollywood" version of events and in the first few scenes , not an appaloosa to be seen, but as I sat and watched , more and more I found the movie compelling . Its was filmed in 1975, and maybe that time in history was finally being seen in a truer light, or ...
In any case , I am glad I watched. Not your typical "cowboys and Indians movie. and the moment of Chief Josephs surrender was portrayed with chilling heartrending effect.
I am and have always been proud of the Appaloosa Horses and this movie showed what an incredible strength and stamina they truly had , carrying the Nez Perce 1100 miles through the hard travelling of mountains, of the Western USA ,coming to within 40 miles of Canada!
The message "I will fight no more forever" rings true for that moment and for man situations in the world now.
Glad I watched the movie. Thank You Martin , it was a wise choice as a gift!
Stay safe my friends .
9 comments:
It doesn't sound like a typical Cowboys and Indians movie and it also doesn't sound like Hollyweird glamorized things the way they do. Good to know and I will have to see about watching it sometime. Yay Martin for getting the movie for you.
I remember watching a movie about that journey but I don't think it was this one. So much suffering!
I remember when I was in school, still being a horse fanatic ( well that has never gone ) I did a report on the Appaloosa horse and how they came to be.
I actually would like to see that movie, for the Native American aspect and the Appaloosa info. My great grand mother on my father side of the family was half Cherokee and I have always taken interest in Native American history and culture.
I lived in Lewiston, Idaho a while and loved the Nez Perce Nation. What a great people they are. And that speech from Chief Joseph is the saddest speech that ever came from anyone. It always will be. He was a peaceful man who was treated terribly by the United States Government. They should be ashamed even today.
Never heard of any of it . Sounds interesting I will have to check it all out . Thanks for sharing . Have a good weekend !
There was a group of Nez Pierce, led by White Bird, who made it through to Canada with a group of about a hundred warriors, women and a large group of children on their Appaloosa horses. They left the night before Chief Joseph surrendered. They made it to the encampment where Sitting Bull was in Canada and lived the rest of their life there.
Cool!! I'm going to check out the link you put up. I love the stuff you post.
Great post.
Once I learned the history of how my ancestors treated the people who were already here, I've felt an intrinsic shame. Canada wasn't exactly as benevolent as one could be lead to believe.
It's a shame all countries own, in one form or other. I hope one day we can all look at each other without judgement of "what" we are.
Who we are counts, nothing else.
I truly believe in your breeding program of keeping the best of these horses available. It honours White Bird.
A belated honour, but better late than never.
Some great movies were made in the 70's, I remember them vaguely ;)
I haven't seen this film, but I know about the history - the Nez Perce and their horses. Incredible people, and we have nothing but shame on our sides. So much tragedy, and so much betrayal by our country. And then our Army tried to destroy their amazing horses for no other reason than they were mad at being "bested" in every way possible. So heartwrenchingly sad. I've been to Chief Josephs grave site and it is a very emotional place to be. Without a few wise individuals and God's intervention, we might not have this wonderful horse that we're honored to love and spend our lives with.
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