Summary Of Chief Joseph's Views Of Indian Affairs '

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Fear, agony, misery, these are the feelings that the Native Americans had to endure on a daily basis. The Native Americans were persecuted and oppressed because of their beliefs and their race. The settlers believed that the Natives were not even to be considered humans based on their religious beliefs. Unlike the settlers, the Native Americans were not given the freedom to live their lives as they pleased. In Chief Joseph’s “An Indian’s Views of Indian Affairs”, the purpose of this excerpt affects the speaker by making him more committed and driven to help make a difference for his people. The purpose of this excerpt is to give the government an insight on the reality of how the Natives were being treated on their own land. The purpose directly …show more content…

In the text, Chief Joseph 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 the Indian breaks the law, punish him by the law. If the white man breaks the law, punish him also.” This shows how Chief Joseph and other Native Americans wanted to have equality amongst all of the people living in this area. They no longer wanted to be separated by their religious beliefs or race. In the text Chief Joseph also states, “If you pen an Indian up on a small spot of earth, and compel him to stay there, he will not be contented, nor will he grow and prosper.” This shows how they wanted to be able to fulfil their purpose in life which is to live, grow and prosper. Chief Joseph also mentions that he does not mind if he is not allowed access to his own home, if it means that his people are able to live in better conditions where they are not dying as rapidly. This shows the reader the severity of their situation and how Chief Joseph was willing to do anything to help his people go through this unfortunate situation. As a Native American, Chief Joseph felt that it was a part of his responsibility to ensure a better lifestyle for himself and for his

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