Indigenous Peoples' Day: Chief Joseph's Words to Washington D.C. (1879)

Chief Joseph, also known as In-mut-too-yah-lat-lat (which means "Thunder-Traveling-to-Loftier-Mountain-Heights"), surrendered on October 5, 1877 in Idaho. Realizing his Nez Perce tribe could not keep their lands against the US army, he said, "Hear me, my chiefs; my heart is sick and sad. From where the Sun now stands, I will fight no more forever." These heartbroken words are not in the formal speech he later delivered in Washington D.C. In the published version in the North American Review, Chief Joseph accuses the Government of cheating and mistreating the tribe, but he ends with a hope for peace, freedom, and equality.
E-text available here.
20 words 1222 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Definition First
Print Flashcards

Other learning activities

Answer a few questions about each word. Use this to prep for your next quiz! Compete with other teams in real time to see who answers the most questions correctly! Test your spelling acumen. Read the definition, listen to the word and try spelling it!

Teaching tools

Create and assign quizzes to your students to test their vocabulary. Assign learning activities including Practice, Vocabulary Jams and Spelling Bees to your students, and monitor their progress in real-time.

Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. disgrace
    a state of dishonor
    They told us to treat all men as they treated us; that we should never be the first to break a bargain; that it was a disgrace to tell a lie; that we should speak only the truth; that it was a shame for one man to take from another his wife, or his property without paying for it.
  2. deserts
    an outcome (good or bad) that is well merited
    We were taught to believe that the Great Spirit sees and hears everything, and that he never forgets; that hereafter he will give every man a spirit-home according to his deserts: if he has been a good man, he will have a good home; if he has been a bad man, he will have a bad home.
  3. despise
    look down on with disdain or disgust
    An Indian respects a brave man, but he despises a coward.
  4. scheme
    an elaborate and systematic plan of action
    My father was the first to see through the schemes of the white men, and he warned his tribe to be careful about trading with them.
  5. caution
    warn strongly; put on guard
    Some of the chiefs of the other bands of the Nez Perces signed the treaty, and then Governor Stevens gave them presents of blankets. My father cautioned his people to take no presents, for "after a while," he said, "they will claim that you have accepted pay for your country."
  6. annuity
    income from capital investment paid regularly
    Since that time four bands of the Nez Perces have received annuities from the United States.
  7. council
    an assembly convened to regulate matters of doctrine
    He said to me: "When you go into council with the white man, always remember your country. Do not give it away. The white man will cheat you out of your home.
  8. dispute
    have a disagreement over something
    He had no right to sell the Wallowa (winding water) country. That had always belonged to my father's own people, and the other bands had never disputed our right to it.
  9. claim
    assert or affirm strongly
    The United States claimed they had bought all the Nez Perces country outside of Lapwai Reservation, from Lawyer and other chiefs, but we continued to live on this land in peace until eight years ago, when white men began to come inside the bounds my father had set.
  10. authority
    the power or right to give orders or make decisions
    Neither Lawyer nor any other chief had authority to sell this land.
  11. contented
    satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are
    I do not need your help; we have plenty, and we are contented and happy if the white man will let us alone.
  12. stock
    any animals kept for use or profit
    The reservation is too small for so many people with all their stock.
  13. plead
    appeal or request earnestly
    We had no friend who would plead our cause before the law councils.
  14. avenge
    take action in return for a perceived wrong
    We could have avenged our wrongs many times, but we did not.
  15. taunt
    a cruel or scornful remark
    We have had a few good friends among white men, and they have always advised my people to bear these taunts without fighting.
  16. rash
    marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
    Our young men were quick-tempered, and I have had great trouble in keeping them from doing rash things.
  17. condition
    a mode of being or form of existence of a person or thing
    When I think of our condition my heart is heavy. I see men of my race treated as outlaws and driven from country to country, or shot down like animals.
  18. recognize
    perceive to be something or something you can identify
    I know that my race must change. We can not 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.
  19. submit
    accept or undergo, often unwillingly
    Let me be a free man--free to travel, free to stop, free to work, free to trade where I choose, free to choose my own teachers, free to follow the religion of my fathers, free to think and talk and act for myself--and I will obey every law, or submit to the penalty.
  20. wounded
    suffering from physical injury especially that suffered in battle
    I hope that no more groans of wounded men and women will ever go to the ear of the Great Spirit Chief above, and that all people may be one people.
Created on Fri Mar 21 15:24:55 EDT 2014 (updated Wed Mar 26 16:07:06 EDT 2014)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.