Question

questions 4 through 6 refer to the following.\the measures to which we are indebted for an improved condition of american indian affairs are, the concentration of the indians upon suitable reservations, and the supplying them with means for engaging in agricultural and mechanical pursuits, and for their education and moral training. . . . the light of a christian civilization seems to have dawned upon their moral darkness, and opened up a brighter future. . . .\it has become a matter of serious import whether the treaty system in use ought longer to be continued. in my judgment it should not. a treaty involves the idea of a compact between two or more sovereign powers, each possessing sufficient authority and force to compel a compliance with the obligations incurred. the indian tribes of the united states are not sovereign nations. . . . many good men, looking at this matter only from a christian point of view, will perhaps say that the poor indian has been greatly wronged and ill treated; that this whole county was once his . . . and that he has been driven from place to place until he has hardly left to him a spot where to lay his head. this indeed may be philanthropic and humane, but the stern letter of the law admits of no such conclusion, and great injury has been done by the government in deluding this people into the belief of their being independent sovereignties.\ely parker, commissioner of indian affairs, report to the secretary of the interior, 1869\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. . . . i will tell you in my way how the indian sees things. . . .\in 1863 a chief called lawyer, because he was a great talker, . . . sold nearly all the nez percés country. . . . in this treaty lawyer acted without authority from our band. he had no right to sell . . . our country. that had always belonged to my fathers own5 mark for reviewunlike commissioner parker, chief joseph supports the claim that american indiansa sought to preserve their cultureb wanted better compensation for their landc sought access to boarding schools for their childrend wanted to permit railroad construction through reservations

Explanation:

Commissioner Parker argues against recognizing American Indian tribes as sovereign nations and promotes assimilation into Christian civilization. In contrast, Chief Joseph's statement rejects unauthorized land sales by outside figures, which aligns with protecting his community's traditional lands and cultural autonomy, matching the claim of preserving their culture. The other options are unsupported: there is no mention of demands for compensation, desire for boarding schools, or approval of railroad construction from Chief Joseph.

Answer:

A. sought to preserve their culture