CHIEF JOSEPH
(1840-1904)
Chief Joseph, known by his people as In-mut-too-yah-lat-lat (Thunder coming up
over the land from the water), was best known for his resistance to the U.S.
Government's attempts to force his tribe onto reservations. The Nez Perce were a
peaceful nation spread from Idaho to Northern Washington. The tribe had
maintained good relations with the whites after the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Joseph spent much of his early childhood at a mission maintained by Christian
missionaries.
In 1855 Chief Joseph's father, Old Joseph, signed a treaty with the U.S. that
allowed his people to retain much of their traditional lands. In 1863 another
treaty was created that severely reduced the amount of land, but Old Joseph
maintained that this second treaty was never agreed to by his people.
A showdown over the second "non-treaty" came after Chief Joseph assumed his role
as Chief in 1877. After months of fighting and forced marches, many of the Nez
Perce were sent to a reservation in what is now Oklahoma, where many died from
malaria and starvation.
Chief Joseph tried every possible appeal to the federal authorities to return
the Nez Perce to the land of their ancestors. In 1885, he was sent along with
many of his band to a reservation in Washington where, according to the
reservation doctor, he later died of a broken heart.
(1840-1904)
Chief Joseph, known by his people as In-mut-too-yah-lat-lat (Thunder coming up
over the land from the water), was best known for his resistance to the U.S.
Government's attempts to force his tribe onto reservations. The Nez Perce were a
peaceful nation spread from Idaho to Northern Washington. The tribe had
maintained good relations with the whites after the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Joseph spent much of his early childhood at a mission maintained by Christian
missionaries.
In 1855 Chief Joseph's father, Old Joseph, signed a treaty with the U.S. that
allowed his people to retain much of their traditional lands. In 1863 another
treaty was created that severely reduced the amount of land, but Old Joseph
maintained that this second treaty was never agreed to by his people.
A showdown over the second "non-treaty" came after Chief Joseph assumed his role
as Chief in 1877. After months of fighting and forced marches, many of the Nez
Perce were sent to a reservation in what is now Oklahoma, where many died from
malaria and starvation.
Chief Joseph tried every possible appeal to the federal authorities to return
the Nez Perce to the land of their ancestors. In 1885, he was sent along with
many of his band to a reservation in Washington where, according to the
reservation doctor, he later died of a broken heart.