My friends, I have been asked to show you my heart. I am glad to have a chance to do so. I want the white people to understand my people. Some of you think an Indian is like a wild animal. This is a great mistake. I will tell you all about our people, and then you can judge whether an Indian is a man or not. I believe much trouble and blood would be saved if we opened our hearts more.
–"An Indian's Views of Indian Affairs,"
Chief Joseph, 1879
According to the chief, how did White settlers view Indigenous people?
They saw Indigenous people as less than human.
They believed that Indigenous people were mostly friendly.
They worried that Indigenous people were too clever and intelligent.
They thought that Indigenous people were too complex to understand.
Answer: They saw Indigenous people as less than human.
