Nez Perce – A Hard Fight For Their Homeland
The story of the Nez Perce is a poignant narrative etched into the history of the American West, a tale of a people deeply connected to their land, their traditions, and their unwavering spirit in the face of relentless pressure. Once a powerful confederation of tribes inhabiting the vast expanse of the Pacific Northwest, primarily in present-day Idaho and northern Washington, the Nez Perce‘s history is marked by both peaceful coexistence and tragic conflict. Their story serves as a powerful reminder of the complexities and injustices experienced by Native American tribes during westward expansion.
The geographical reach of the Nez Perce was considerable. Their territories extended across the open landscapes of the Northwest, and during hunting seasons, their journeys even took them as far east as the Great Plains. They were closely affiliated with other tribes in the region, including the Cayuse, Tenino, and Umatilla, forming a network of shared culture and trade.
The name "Nez Perce," meaning "those with pierced noses," is itself a misnomer, a historical inaccuracy attributed to the famed explorers Lewis and Clark during their expedition in 1804 and 1805. These explorers, encountering this band of people, mistakenly associated them with another tribe further south who practiced nasal piercing. The true name of the tribe is Nee-Me-Poo, a name that speaks to their own identity and cultural heritage.
The Nez Perce were not a monolithic entity but rather a collective of distinct bands, each possessing its own unique cultural nuances. Despite these differences, they coexisted harmoniously, bound together by a shared heritage and a network of interconnected relationships. This unity is reflected in their languages, all branches of the Sahaptian language family, which belongs to the broader Penutian linguistic stock.
The introduction of horses in the mid-18th century dramatically altered the Nez Perce way of life. They quickly became renowned for their exceptional horsemanship, a skill that enhanced their hunting prowess, expanded their trade networks, and transformed their mobility across the vast landscapes they called home. Their close alliances with other Penutian-speaking tribes fostered a strong sense of community, facilitating trade, cooperative hunting ventures, and generally maintaining amicable relations. In contrast, their relationships with tribes to the south and east, particularly the Shoshoni, Bannock, and Blackfeet, were often strained, marked by conflict and competition for resources.
For many years, the arrival of white settlers did not immediately disrupt the Nez Perce‘s peaceful existence. In 1855, Old Joseph, father of the more widely known Chief Joseph, signed a treaty with the U.S. government. This treaty, in principle, allowed the Nez Perce to retain a significant portion of their ancestral lands. However, this fragile peace was shattered less than a decade later.
The year 1863 marked a turning point, a pivotal moment that would forever alter the course of Nez Perce history. A second treaty, widely disputed by the Nez Perce, drastically reduced their land holdings, ceding approximately seven million acres to the U.S. government as white settlers continued their relentless westward expansion. This left the tribe with a mere 138,000 acres, a fraction of their original territory. Old Joseph, deeply aggrieved by what he considered a betrayal, maintained until his death that this second treaty was never legitimately agreed upon by his people.
The simmering tensions finally erupted in the 1870s. In 1875, the U.S. government revoked the reservation status of the Wallowa Valley in northeastern Oregon, a region deeply sacred to the Nez Perce. This act of dispossession was a catalyst for the events that would soon unfold.
The confrontation over the disputed 1863 treaty reached its climax after Chief Joseph (Hinmatóowyalahtqit, meaning "Thunder Traveling to Loftier Heights") assumed leadership in 1877. When the U.S. government ordered the Nez Perce to relocate to the diminished reservation, they refused. Chief Joseph, along with other prominent leaders such as Chief Looking Glass, Chief White Bird, Chief Ollokot, and Chief Lean Elk, led a group of approximately 800 men, women, and children on a desperate journey westward, seeking refuge in Canada. This arduous trek, spanning from June to October, became known as the Nez Perce War.
Their initial plan was to seek sanctuary with their Crow allies on the eastern plains. The Nez Perce embarked on a grueling journey of over 1,000 miles through Idaho and Montana, relentlessly pursued by the U.S. Army. Along the way, they engaged in numerous skirmishes and battles, demonstrating their skill and bravery as warriors. However, the relentless pursuit and the constant fighting took a heavy toll, significantly reducing their numbers. Just forty miles from the Canadian border, their hopes for freedom were dashed when they were trapped in Montana by the U.S. Army. After a harrowing five-day battle, the remaining 431 members of the tribe, exhausted and demoralized, were forced to surrender on October 5, 1877.
Chief Joseph’s surrender speech, a poignant testament to the suffering and resilience of his people, has become one of the most famous and moving pronouncements in Native American history. His words resonated with sorrow, weariness, and a profound sense of loss:
"I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed. Looking Glass is dead. Toohulhulsote is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say yes or 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."
Despite promises that the Nez Perce would be temporarily held at Fort Keogh, Montana, and then returned to their reservation, they were instead transported to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The living conditions there were deplorable, situated between a stagnant lagoon and the Missouri River, exposing them to disease and hardship. Those who survived this ordeal were subsequently moved to the Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma), where the situation deteriorated further. Malaria and starvation claimed the lives of many more.
Chief Joseph dedicated the remainder of his life to appealing to the federal authorities, tirelessly advocating for the return of the Nez Perce to their ancestral homeland. In 1885, he and a portion of his tribe were finally relocated to a reservation in Washington State. However, the years of struggle, loss, and broken promises had taken their toll. Chief Joseph died in September 1904, a man broken in spirit and heartbroken by the fate of his people.
Despite the immense hardships they endured, the Nez Perce have persevered. Today, they have adapted to modern life, embracing new ways and religions while still cherishing and preserving their traditional culture. The ancient Nez Perce faith remains a vital part of their identity, passed down through generations through stories, fables, and ceremonies.
For the Nez Perce, the physical and spiritual realms are inextricably intertwined. This holistic worldview is reflected in their vibrant celebrations and ceremonies, which honor the interconnectedness of all things. These traditions and philosophies continue to be taught in schools and on reservations, ensuring that the Nez Perce culture remains alive and vibrant.
The tragic events of the Nez Perce War and the subsequent exile are commemorated along the Nez Perce National Historic Trail, a route that stretches from Wallowa Lake, Oregon, to the Bear Paw Battlefield near Chinook, Montana. This trail serves as a powerful reminder of the Nez Perce‘s arduous journey, their unwavering spirit, and the enduring legacy of their struggle for their homeland. The Nez Perce continue to fight for their homeland.