Bibliography

Hope Wolfgram
Mrs. Boresen
Exp. Writing, 4th Hour
Essay
1/29/2009

BIBLIOGRAPHY

U.S. Department of the Interior. Government Printing Office. Famous Indians A Collection Short Biographies. Superintendent of Documents, 1849. 38-39.

Josephy JR., Alvin M. 500 Nations. New York: Alfred A. Knope, 1994.

D.D., LL.D., Noah P. "Dictionary.com an Ask.com Service." Http://dictionary.reference.com/. 22 Feb. 1913. Springfield, Mass. 3 Feb. 1998.

Essay

Hope Wolfgram
Mrs. Boresen
Exp. Writing, 4th Hour
Essay
1/29/2009

Young Chief Joseph

There are many different Native American tribes and Chiefs; some of them have become famous all around the world and are inseparably linked to our country’s history from its earliest beginnings through generations of growth. All the chiefs who were all leaders in a great struggle to preserve treasured lands and life ways have truly been and inspiration to me in many ways. Young Chief Joseph has been my hero right from the very start. I would like to interest you in talking about the tribe of Chief Joseph, his background, old Joseph’s wisdom to young Joseph, and young Joseph’s famous surrender speech which turned his life around and his people as well.

The Nez Perce (“Pierced Nose,” a name given these Indians by French trappers because some tribal members once wore shell ornaments in their noses). (Famous Indians, 38). Their present boundaries were of Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. The Nez Perce people were a strong, intelligent, and populous people. The tribe gave up most of their gathering territory to the U.S. under the 1855 treaty. (500 Nations, 409). Oregon’s fertile Wallowa Valley, was led by Chief Joseph; young Chief Joseph’s father. Young Chief Joseph was born around 1840 and died when he was about 64 years old in the year 1904. His real name was Hinmaton-yalatkit (referring to “thunder coming up over the land from the water”), has become famous as Chief Joseph. Joseph was a Christian and a lifelong friend of white missionaries, settlers, and explorers. He was made the leader while still a young man, not as a warrior or hunter, but because of his superior intelligence and remarkable strength of character. (Famous Indians, 38). I guess you could say he inherited it from his father.

Young Joseph and his followers continued to occupy the Wallowa Valley, and for time they were left in relative peace. As Old Joseph was nearing his death, he looked into the future and warned his son. His words were, “When I am gone, think of your country. You are the chief of these people. They look to you to guide them. A few more years and the whites will be all around you. They have their eyes on this land. My son, never forget my dying words: Never sell the bones of your father and mother.” (Famous Indians, 38). This is an extremely deep saying to me because it shows how wise Joseph’s father was. He knew that the white people would take over their land and it would be up to Young Chief Joseph to guide his people in the right direction.

On October 5, 1877, about 30 miles of the Canadian border, Nez Perce was cut off by fresh troops, and Joseph was forced to admit defeat. (500 Nations, 409). His surrender speech was recorded by General Howard’s adjutant and has gone down in history as the symbol of Nez Perce dignity and courage. Joseph’s words were, “Tell General Howard I know his heart. What he told me before I have in my heart. I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed. Looking Glass is dead. Toohoolhoolzote is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say yes and no. He who led the young men is dead. It is cold and we have no blankets. The little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills, and have no blankets; no food; no one knows where they are, perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children and see how many I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my chiefs. I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.” (Famous Indians, 39). After several years in Indian Territory (Oklahoma) in 1885, Joseph and most of his followers were sent to Colville Reservation in Washington, where he died in 1904, still and exile (banished from his native land) from his beloved valley. (http:/dictionary.reference.com/).

Chief Joseph was the most loving, caring, inspirational, and brave hearted chiefs to ever live. I hope you have learned a lot about the Nez Perce Tribe, Young Chief Joseph’s background, his father’s wisdom to him before he passed away, and his brave surrender speech to the U.S. Army. I am greatly inspired by Chief Joseph’s wisdom and bravery towards his people and towards the U.S. Army. He who will go down in history for his belief that every man whether he is white or not has a right to live will be cherished and be remembered in great honor of his people.

Extra Credit Visual

Winter Narrative

Hope Wolfgram

Mrs. Boresen
Expository Writing
Winter Break Essay
1/13/09

My Rockin New Years

As I look back on my New Years experiences, I noticed that every one that I celebrated wasn’t fun at all. However, during my winter break my new year’s celebration of this year 2009 turned out to be more than I expected. Overall, it turned out to be a lot of fun. My mom Belinda hosted the party at our house. Even though she hosted it, I invited some people over as well. The thing that excited me the most was that there was a lot of food to munch on and we played some games such as Rock Band 2 and Fact or Crap.

My mom invited some people from her Al’ Anon group. Their names are Joe, Pat, and Carol. I invited my friend Bekka, her baby boy Elisha, and my boyfriend Mirways. The rest of the people were my family whose names are David who is my step dad, my brother Kyle and his fiancé Tawnie, and my sister Sierra and her fiancé Jaime. When the people started showing up from my moms Al’ Anon group, my mom right away invited them in and introduced our family to them. Then she offered them plates to get some food. There were all different sorts of delicious foods to grub on. It was my mom’s first time making prime rib so she made some ham too as a back up plan just in case the prime rib didn’t turn out that great. However, the prime rib was so delicious, it was mouth watering. There also were mashed potatoes, fresh rolls right from the oven, spinach dip in a bread bowl, cheese and crackers, vegetables, and fruit salad. For dessert there were homemade chocolate chip cookies, vanilla ice cream, apple and cherry pie, and my all time favorite cheesecake. After everyone was settled with their food, I heard the doorbell ring. As I opened up the door I saw my boyfriend. I was so happy to see him that I jumped up and gave him a big hug and kiss. I guess you could say I couldn’t wait until New Years for my kiss. Soon enough it was toast time. My brother poured everyone some sparkling cider and he announced to all of us that he proposed to Tawnie and she accepted his proposal. The funny thing is that everybody didn’t know what to say. I remember looking at my mom and seeing her face pail as a ghost while her mouth was dropped looking like she was about to drool. Good thing my mom was sitting down because I bet if she would have been standing up, she would have passed out and dropped straight to the floor. It was the biggest awkward moment of silence I have ever experienced, so to break the awkward moment of silence my step dad said “Well, congratulations,” and we all started telling my brother the same thing. To break the awkwardness that everyone had been feeling, I had to bust out the Rock Band 2 while my step dad, my mom, and her friends were having their own fun playing Fact or Crap.

My brother and Tawnie were playing the guitar, my sister and Jaime on the drums, and my boyfriend and I were on singing. Bekka was a little shy and didn’t want to sing with us so she just watched and laughed at us playing. About a minute or two jamin out we got booed off because my boyfriend and my singing put together was terrible. After the second or third try, our band was rocking with all 90%’s on easy. Ten minutes before the countdown, we turned off the game and put on the T.V. to watch the countdown. When it was exactly 12:00 we all went outside and banged on pots and pans and blew up party poppers to celebrate the New Year. It was hilarious to see people rush out of their houses to see what all the rucket was. When we went back inside we put all the pots and pans away and just chilled, told jokes, and laughed a ton.

Allover, I had a pretty legit New Years. From seeing my boyfriend, friends, and family, to eating a lot, jamin out, and banging on pots and pans outside I had a great time. As weird as it may sound, I didn’t have a care in the world to open up gifts on Christmas, or going out places, but the thing that meant the most to me was spending time with my boyfriend, friends, and family on New Years. It will be a memory that I will never forget and I will look back on it and be grateful for the fun time I had.