The Nez Perce: The Nez Perce: Treaties, Land Treaties, Land

Ownership, and CultureOwnership, and Culture

The Nez Perce Tribe’s The Nez Perce Tribe’s Original LocationOriginal Location

The Nez Perce or The Nez Perce or Nimi'ipuuNimi'ipuu (pronounced Nee-Me-Poo) originally (pronounced Nee-Me-Poo) originally lived in three of the most rugged river lived in three of the most rugged river canyons in the Northwest--the canyons canyons in the Northwest--the canyons of Idaho's Clearwater, Salmon, and of Idaho's Clearwater, Salmon, and Snake Rivers. Snake Rivers.

Original Location Original Location (Continued)(Continued)

The Nez Perce also lived on the The Nez Perce also lived on the Oregon side of the canyon, in a Oregon side of the canyon, in a valley in the shadow of the valley in the shadow of the Wallowa Mountains. Wallowa Mountains.

Wallowa Lake LandWallowa Lake Land Original Territorial Land Original Territorial Land

The The Nez Perce Treaty Nez Perce Treaty of 1855of 1855

The The Nez Perce TreatyNez Perce Treaty signed at Camp signed at Camp Stevens in 1855 ordered the Nez Perce to Stevens in 1855 ordered the Nez Perce to relinquish their ancestral territory and move relinquish their ancestral territory and move to Oregon's Umatilla Reservation with the to Oregon's Umatilla Reservation with the Walla Walla, Cayuse, and Umatilla Tribes. Walla Walla, Cayuse, and Umatilla Tribes.

Chief Joseph DiesChief Joseph Dies

When Old Joseph died in 1871, When Old Joseph died in 1871, Young Joseph inherited his Young Joseph inherited his birthright. It was his father who birthright. It was his father who taught him that “No man owned taught him that “No man owned any part of the earth, and a man any part of the earth, and a man could not sell what he did not own." could not sell what he did not own." Young Joseph vowed forever that he Young Joseph vowed forever that he would not sell the land of his would not sell the land of his forefathers. forefathers.

Chief JosephChief Joseph

A quote from Chief Joseph:A quote from Chief Joseph: "Do not misunderstand me [and] my affection "Do not misunderstand me [and] my affection

for the land. I never said the land was mine to for the land. I never said the land was mine to do with as I chose. The one who has the right to do with as I chose. The one who has the right to dispose of it is the one who has created it. I dispose of it is the one who has created it. I claim a right to live on my land, and accord you claim a right to live on my land, and accord you the privilege to live on yours. The earth is the the privilege to live on yours. The earth is the mother of all people and all people should have mother of all people and all people should have equal rights upon it.equal rights upon it.

You might as well expect the rivers to run You might as well expect the rivers to run backward as that any man who was born a freebackward as that any man who was born a free

man should be contented when penned up and man should be contented when penned up and denied liberty to go where he pleases..." Chief denied liberty to go where he pleases..." Chief Joseph Joseph

The Dawes ActThe Dawes Act

Back in 1887, well-meaning Back in 1887, well-meaning reformers had persuaded Congress reformers had persuaded Congress to pass the Dawes Act. It provided to pass the Dawes Act. It provided for each head of an Indian family to for each head of an Indian family to be given 160 acres of farmland or be given 160 acres of farmland or 320 of grazing land. Then, all the 320 of grazing land. Then, all the remaining tribal lands were to be remaining tribal lands were to be declared "surplus" and opened up declared "surplus" and opened up for whites.for whites.

Opposition to the PlanOpposition to the Plan

The tribes opposed this plan so The tribes opposed this plan so Territorial Governor Isaac Stevens Territorial Governor Isaac Stevens granted the Nez Perce the right to granted the Nez Perce the right to remain in their own territory in remain in their own territory in the the Nez Perce Treaty of LapwaiNez Perce Treaty of Lapwai (1863), on the condition that they (1863), on the condition that they relinquish nearly 13 million acres relinquish nearly 13 million acres to the U.S. government.to the U.S. government.

How Did This Impact How Did This Impact the Nez Perce Tribe?the Nez Perce Tribe?

The Dawes Act, meant to help Indians, The Dawes Act, meant to help Indians, devastated them instead. devastated them instead.

In 1895, the remaining half million In 1895, the remaining half million unallotted acres of Nez Perce tribal unallotted acres of Nez Perce tribal land were declared "surplus" and land were declared "surplus" and opened for homesteading. opened for homesteading.

By 1910, there would be 30,000 whites By 1910, there would be 30,000 whites within the Nez Perce reservation – and within the Nez Perce reservation – and just 1,500 Nez Perce. just 1,500 Nez Perce.

Land That Changed Land That Changed HandsHands Across much of the West, the Across much of the West, the

story would be the same. Before story would be the same. Before the Dawes Act, some 150 million the Dawes Act, some 150 million acres remained in Indian hands. acres remained in Indian hands. Within twenty years, two-thirds of Within twenty years, two-thirds of their land was gone. their land was gone.

War of 1877War of 1877

In the mid-1800s, settlers came In the mid-1800s, settlers came to the Nez Perce reservation. The to the Nez Perce reservation. The Nez Perce War of 1877 began Nez Perce War of 1877 began when some of the Nez Perce when some of the Nez Perce rebelled against treaties imposed rebelled against treaties imposed by the settlers. by the settlers.

But How Did It But How Did It Really Start?Really Start?

The conflict began when white The conflict began when white ranchers realized that the Wallowa ranchers realized that the Wallowa Valley, as well as the Snake and Valley, as well as the Snake and Clearwater valleys, where the Indians Clearwater valleys, where the Indians lived, would make great open range lived, would make great open range for their cattle. As a result, the U.S. for their cattle. As a result, the U.S. Government pressured the Indians to Government pressured the Indians to move to a reservation established in move to a reservation established in an 1863 treaty or be removed by an 1863 treaty or be removed by force. force.

First ViolenceFirst Violence

At first, the Nez Perce agreed to the At first, the Nez Perce agreed to the move in order to forestall violence, move in order to forestall violence, though they did not recognize the 1863 though they did not recognize the 1863 treaty as binding. Unfortunately, four treaty as binding. Unfortunately, four whites, were killed by Nez Perce en whites, were killed by Nez Perce en route to the reservation. Looking Glass, route to the reservation. Looking Glass, Chief Joseph and the other Chiefs then Chief Joseph and the other Chiefs then decided to travel to Montana to stay decided to travel to Montana to stay with the Crow Tribe, a tribe they knew with the Crow Tribe, a tribe they knew from their buffalo hunting in the area.from their buffalo hunting in the area.

Heading Towards Heading Towards CanadaCanada The Nez Perce traveled through The Nez Perce traveled through

Idaho towards Montana, fighting Idaho towards Montana, fighting the U.S. Army in several battles the U.S. Army in several battles along the way. The Nez Perce along the way. The Nez Perce were successful in escaping the were successful in escaping the white men throughout all of these white men throughout all of these battles. battles.

Cut Off Too SoonCut Off Too Soon

The Nez Perce then entered The Nez Perce then entered Montana through mountainous Lolo Montana through mountainous Lolo Pass. They continued on to Pass. They continued on to Yellowstone Park and then north Yellowstone Park and then north toward Canada. When they were toward Canada. When they were within a few days ride of Canada, within a few days ride of Canada, the Nez Perce were cut off by the Nez Perce were cut off by General Nelson Miles and were General Nelson Miles and were forced to surrender.forced to surrender.

White Bird BattlefieldWhite Bird Battlefield

The Battles EndThe Battles End

The tribe was escorted to the Tongue The tribe was escorted to the Tongue River, then Bismarck, North Dakota, to River, then Bismarck, North Dakota, to wait until spring. From there they were wait until spring. From there they were sent to Fort Leavenworth, then Baxter sent to Fort Leavenworth, then Baxter Springs, Kansas in 1878. Many Nez Springs, Kansas in 1878. Many Nez Perce died in these places. Finally, in Perce died in these places. Finally, in 1885, the remaining members of the 1885, the remaining members of the tribe were sent to the Colville tribe were sent to the Colville Reservation in Northern Washington Reservation in Northern Washington State. Chief Joseph lived there until he State. Chief Joseph lived there until he died on September 21, 1904.died on September 21, 1904.

The Nez Perce IndiansThe Nez Perce Indians TodayToday

Today most of the Nez Perce tribe Today most of the Nez Perce tribe reside on or near the Nez Perce reside on or near the Nez Perce Reservation in a town called Lapwai Reservation in a town called Lapwai in Northern Idaho, but about 500 in Northern Idaho, but about 500 descendants of Chief Joseph's descendants of Chief Joseph's Wallowa band now belong to the Wallowa band now belong to the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation in Eastern Washington. Reservation in Eastern Washington.

Additional Additional Information…Information…

On the Nez Perce IndiansOn the Nez Perce Indians

HuntingHunting

The Nez Perce also made seasonal The Nez Perce also made seasonal trips for hunting and trading into trips for hunting and trading into Montana and Wyoming. Montana and Wyoming.

The Nez Perce fought to keep The Nez Perce fought to keep water, fishing, and hunting rights.water, fishing, and hunting rights.

Change in Hunting Change in Hunting MethodsMethods

The horses changed the Nez The horses changed the Nez Perce's culture forever. The horses Perce's culture forever. The horses enabled them to hunt buffalo enabled them to hunt buffalo easily, and the Nez Perce soon easily, and the Nez Perce soon became known throughout the became known throughout the Northwest for their hunting skills Northwest for their hunting skills and craftsmanship. These new and craftsmanship. These new found skills allowed the Nez Perce found skills allowed the Nez Perce to trade for goods and services. to trade for goods and services.

Nez Perce HorsesNez Perce Horses

Appaloosa BreedAppaloosa Breed

The Appaloosa breed was The Appaloosa breed was originally bred in the Inland originally bred in the Inland Northwest of America by the Nez Northwest of America by the Nez Perce Indians. Before the horse Perce Indians. Before the horse had been introduced to them, the had been introduced to them, the Nez Perce were sedentary Nez Perce were sedentary fishermen.fishermen.

HorsesHorses

The Nez Perce became well The Nez Perce became well known for their large herds of fine known for their large herds of fine horses. horses.

AppaloosaAppaloosa

The Nez Perce were the only The Nez Perce were the only Native Americans known to Native Americans known to selectively breed their horses. selectively breed their horses. The horses were bred to be The horses were bred to be strong, fast, sure-footed, and strong, fast, sure-footed, and intelligent mounts. A short mane intelligent mounts. A short mane and tail were bred into the horses and tail were bred into the horses so that they could not easily be so that they could not easily be caught in brush. caught in brush.

Lewis’s Journal WritingLewis’s Journal Writing

Meriwether Lewis wrote the following of Meriwether Lewis wrote the following of the Nez Perce's horses, in his diary on the Nez Perce's horses, in his diary on Feb. 15, 1806 : Feb. 15, 1806 : "Their horses appear to be of an "Their horses appear to be of an excellent race; they are lofty, elegantly excellent race; they are lofty, elegantly [sic] formed, active and durable…some [sic] formed, active and durable…some of these horses are pided with large of these horses are pided with large spots of white irregularly scattered and spots of white irregularly scattered and intermixed with black, brown, bey [sic] intermixed with black, brown, bey [sic] or some other dark color." or some other dark color."

Nez Perce Housing-Nez Perce Housing-TipisTipis

A Tipi CampA Tipi Camp

Pierced Noses?Pierced Noses?

Meaning of Common Name:Meaning of Common Name: Pierced Noses - Name given by French Pierced Noses - Name given by French

interpreters traveling with Lewis & interpreters traveling with Lewis & Clark on 1805 expedition. It probably Clark on 1805 expedition. It probably referred to a neighboring tribe called referred to a neighboring tribe called Chinook Indians, who did pierce their Chinook Indians, who did pierce their noses. This was not a common noses. This was not a common practice among the Nez Perce, but the practice among the Nez Perce, but the name stuck.name stuck.

Camas, a relative of the Camas, a relative of the lily family, has been lily family, has been gathered by the Nez Perce gathered by the Nez Perce for generations. The bulbs for generations. The bulbs are rich in protein and are are rich in protein and are still prepared and blessed still prepared and blessed according to traditional according to traditional practices. practices.

Traditions- Camas Traditions- Camas RootRoot

Camas Root FieldCamas Root Field

Gathering Camas Gathering Camas RootsRoots

PictographsPictographs

There are 112 pictographs left by There are 112 pictographs left by the Nez Perce ancestors, in the Nez Perce ancestors, in addition to well-worn trails down addition to well-worn trails down the Hells Canyon's steep walls. the Hells Canyon's steep walls.

Nez Perce LanguageNez Perce Language

Number of fluent speakers:Number of fluent speakers:  

Nez Perce is spoken to some degree Nez Perce is spoken to some degree by about 600 in Idaho, but fluent Nez by about 600 in Idaho, but fluent Nez Perce is spoken by only sixty to Perce is spoken by only sixty to seventy elders. Only a handful of seventy elders. Only a handful of elders still speak the Lower River elders still speak the Lower River dialect. All fluent speakers are older dialect. All fluent speakers are older adults. Nez Perce is being taught in adults. Nez Perce is being taught in Nespelem, Washington and at Lewis-Nespelem, Washington and at Lewis-Clark State College at Lewiston, Idaho.Clark State College at Lewiston, Idaho.

Resources:Resources:

http://search.aol.com/aol/search?http://search.aol.com/aol/search?s_it=topsearchbox.search&q=+Salmon+canyon+picturess_it=topsearchbox.search&q=+Salmon+canyon+pictures

http://www.altavista.com/image/results?http://www.altavista.com/image/results?pg=q&stype=simage&imgset=2&q=tepee&avkw=aaptpg=q&stype=simage&imgset=2&q=tepee&avkw=aapt

http://www.nezperce.org/History/ChiefJosephPhotos.htmhttp://www.nezperce.org/History/ChiefJosephPhotos.htm

http://www.picsearch.com/info.cgi?q=Nez%20Perce%20%20Tribe%20land%20&id=MHWjsr1kviJw2kGiL16FrNVBW75-VHFzTfRPFuZeiYghttp://www.picsearch.com/info.cgi?q=Nez%20Perce%20%20Tribe%20land%20&id=UdknkY-keRNXWuWxnTiWa0nAesCalZj3S2ma8L0DirE

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:WhiteBirdPhilKonstantin.jpg