Answer what you cn 4. "you might as well expect rivers to run backwards as any man born free to be contented penned up." ~chief joseph which of the following best explains what chief joseph meant by this quote? a. native americans did not like living on reservations. b. earthquakes in the northwest caused rivers to run backwards. c. all native american children should attend the boarding schools. d. native americans did not want their farm animals to be penned up. 5. the indian wars, including the battles of little bighorn and wounded knee, that occurred between 1860 and 1890 were mainly the result of a. the search for gold in california. b. disputes over the spread of slavery. c. conflict with mexico over texas and california. d. the movement of settlers onto the great plains.