Document 9: Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce
In 1855 the Nez Perce Indians agreed to move onto a reservation
in Idaho and Oregon, but when gold was discovered there in 1863,
gold miners and settlers began streaming onto the reservation.
The United States government took back 9/10ths of the Nez Perce
reservation and in 1877, ordered the Nez Perce to abandon the
last portion of their Oregon homeland and move into a small
section of Idaho.
The Nez Perce leader, Chief Joseph, at first agreed to relocate to
the new reservation. However, violence broke out between settlers
and young Nez Perce, and the Indians ­ warriors, women, and
children ­ were forced to flee, with the U.S. Army in close pursuit.
The Nez Perce headed to Canada, fighting off U.S. troops as they
fled. Less than 40 miles from the Canadian border, Chief Joseph
and his people were forced to surrender to the U.S. Army. The
following quote is part of a statement given by Chief Joseph at his
surrender:
Pictured, above: lighter shading indicates original Nez Perce
territory, outline labeled “1855 Treaty Reservation” shows
the reservation the U.S. restricted the Nez Perce too in 1855.
The smaller darker shading indicates the Nez Perce
reservation after gold was discovered in 1863.
Pictured, below: Nez Perce warrior
Pictured, middle: Nez Perce women
Pictured, far right: Chief Joseph
Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce were taken to Indian Territory in present­day
Oklahoma, where many died. Half of the Nez Perce were eventually returned to
Idaho, but Chief Joseph and many others were sent to northern Washington
State.
In Your Answer Packet...
Document 9: Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce
● On page 3 of your answer packet, answer Document 9 Questions:
○ Who was Chief Joseph?
■ describe
○ How do you think Chief Joseph’s surrender speech (the quote from Doc 9)
reflects on the feelings of many Native Americans during the 19th century?
■ Points to consider
● How does Chief Joseph seem to feel?
● Why does he feel this way?
● Is this similar to how other Native Americans might feel about U.S.
Indian policy during this time? Why do you think that?
○ Why did the U.S. government take back 90% of the reservation land of the Nez
Perce?