Alex Litzau, Zach Reynolds, Luke Westbrook, Chief Joseph

Chief Joseph Joseph’s father was converted to christianity by white missionaries. Joseph became chief of the Nez Percé Indians in 1871 after his father died. Being educated in a mission school, Joseph was one of the only Indians that could read and write.

Historical Background White settlers’ desire for more cattle ranges and the discovery of gold caused the Nez Percé war. A treaty pressured them to move from their homeland to a much smaller reservation in 1863.

Historical Background The Indians agreed to move, but soon faced raids. They moved from Oregon to Montana, fighting against the U.S. Army. In 1877, Chief Joseph surrendered at Bear’s Paw Mountains.

Historical Background Chief Joseph gave his surrender speech, and the Nez Percé were forced onto a reservation. Eloquent speech was an important quality to Native Americans because traditions and legends were passed down orally.

The Surrender Speech of Chief Joseph Chief Joseph says that he is tired of fighting and “will fight no more forever”. He expresses his sadness. He mentions that many chiefs are dead, and he wants to look for his missing people.

An Indian’s Views of Indian Affairs A magazine article by Joseph two years after surrender. Joseph wants whites to see Indians as civilized people, not animals or savages. He mentions the Indian's morals and laws by which they live. He also talks about the Nez Percé religion, which has beliefs about afterlife that are similar to Christianity.

Literary Devices Repitition in Surrender Speech: “…is dead…is dead…are dead.” “Hear me, my chiefs, I am tired. My heart is sad and sick…Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired; my heart is sick and sad.” Personification in Surrender Speech: “From where the sun now stands…”

The Impact “The Surrender Speech of Chief Joseph” reflected the times. It came as a result of white settlers taking Native American land, a characteristic of the time period.

The Impact “An Indian’s Views of Indian Affairs” shaped the times. Most white settlers viewed Native Americans very poorly. The article, written from an Indian’s view point, showed whites that Native Americans are moral, respectable people, not animals. This shaped public opinion.

Importance to American Literature These works showed a side of Native Americans that was rarely seen. Native Americans were no longer viewed as savage, uneducated brutes. This was a very enlightening point of view.