Randy Suits

Chief Joseph Loved His People

Ewa, who left your homeland to be mine,

The Nez Perce had lived peacefully in their ancestral lands in the Wallowa Valley until they were forced to move by the United States federal government onto a greatly reduced reservation in Idaho. (Chief Joseph refused to participate in or sign the treaty authorizing the US government to forcefully expropriate their land). These people were not scalp hunters. They were peaceful hunters and fishermen. Talk of war began  but Joseph firmly stood for peace and obedience. In wisdom, Chief Joseph advised his people, “I have tried to save you from suffering and sorrow. Resistance means all of that. We are few. They are many. You can see all we have at a glance. They have food and ammunition in abundance. We must suffer great hardship and loss.” After his words of council, he quietly began plans for defense and an organized retreat. As Joseph remained on his property, land grabbers began doing everything in their power to hasten the eviction of the Nez Perce. Depredations were committed and finally, some of the angry young warriors killed a few white people. This was just what their enemies were looking for. There might be a hundred white settlers murdered among themselves on the frontier and no outsider would hear of it, but if one of those was killed by an indian an outcry would go out to all the world. “Down with the bloodthirsty savages” was the cry. Fearing reprisal,  Chief Joseph fled in a 1400 mile retreat toward Canada with 700 fighting men, women, children and elderly. They were seeking asylum and freedom to live and hunt as they chose. The U.S. Cavalry pursued the Nez Perce but Chief Joseph managed to evade them until they were captured just 40 miles from the Canadian border.

 Chief Joseph and his warriors could have escaped to Canada by abandoning the defenseless women, children and old in his tribe. However he was a man of great honor and dedication. He refused to leave behind those he loved. He chose captivity with his people instead of freedom in shame and cowardice. The removal of his tribe from their homeland was unjust but courage is tested when one must endure suffering and persecution to protect his family and friends. His heart was broken but as we read his surrender speech we understand the toughness of his spirit which could never be shackled by restricting his movement on earth to a place unworthy of a man and people of their stature. He said’ “I will tell you in my way how the Indian sees things. The white man has more words to tell you how they look to him, but it does not require many words to speak the truth.” Newspaper coverage of the indian war lead to public recognition of Joseph and the Nez Perce for their principled resistance to removal from their homeland. He became known as a humanitarian and peacemaker. He was a mighty warrior of peace, love and truth and as such he resisted and fought the evil writing and rewriting of manipulative laws and treaties designed to steal the land of the native americans and redistribute their wealth. (Does not the devil steal the wealth, hope and promise of the people of God who seek to peacefully practice their faith in the pursuit of happiness) Throughout the retreat, Joseph wanted only peace and freedom for his people. The plan of God is peace for all men.  Jesus Christ said, “blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God”. The people of God can learn much from the life of this man of peace. He stood firm in those truths and principles he held dear. Holy Father in Heaven give us boldness and freedom to proclaim your gospel in our communities and across the globe. “The kingdom of God is near and at hand!”

Let us also be strong in spirit, courage and conviction, Kochany