humanity a higher definition." Face filling
with wonder, he reached to hug me before
he would be gone. Disappearing into the
ether, I saw a single tear fall from his eyes.
"Today is a wonderful day!" I shouted to
him, as he disappeared.
Chief Joseph's face gleamed brightly
in the sky as suddenly the pipe he had given
to me appeared in my hand. Blowing upon it
a single breath so that it would light, I took a
smoke. Joseph began singing and making
hand signals. Forming a teepee with his
hands, he then clasped his hands together.
Knowing that the first sign meant 'teepee' or
'home,' the second meant to 'come together.'
Inviting me to join him at his lodge, I
reflected upon this great man's earthly life.
Chief Joseph died on September 21, 1904
while sitting next to the fire in his lodge.
Spending his life fighting for justice, many
say he died of a broken heart, broken by the
unkept promises and violence perpetuated
upon his people.
Heinmetooyalakekt, his Indian name
has been translated as 'Thunder Rolling in
the Mountains.' As he began to disappear
from my view, he told me the correct
translation, 'Thunder Traveling to Loftier
brent
(Brent)
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