Chief Joseph was a Nez Perce Indian, born in what is northeastern Oregon. His father was a defiant chief who refused to participate in the selling of land. In 1855, he refused a deal to segregate the land of Washington Territory into areas for Natives and areas for settlers, and in 1863 he boycotted the seizure of six million acres of Nez Perce land by refusing to move to the Nez Perce reservation in Idaho. Chief Joseph’s father died in 1871, but he communicated his wishes to his succeeding son before his death. He said, “Always remember that your father never sold his country. You must stop your ears whenever you are asked to sign a treaty selling your home. A few years more, and white men will be all around you. They have their eyes on this land. My son, never forget my dying words. This country holds your father’s body. Never sell the bones of your father and your mother.” Chief Joseph clasped his father’s hand and promised to defend his grave.

Joseph never allowed for violent acts against the Americans, fearing reprisals from their military superiority. Nonetheless, the Nez Perce suffered many injustices at the hands of white settlers, prospectors, and generals. In 1873, Chief Joseph had secured a negotiation in which the US federal government promised that his people could remain where they were. However, in 1877 General Howard held a council to Joseph that him and his people should relocate. Joseph gave an address to the general on human equality, stating that he did not believe “the Great Spirit Chief gave one kind of men the right to tell another kind of men what they must do.” General Howard interpreted the statement as a challenge to his authority. After being unsuccessful in persuading the Nez Perce to leave their land, the general threatened to attack them in 30 days if they did not relocate. Chief Joseph reluctantly agreed and called a council over the possibility of abandoning his father’s grave.

Several Nez Perce advocated war, but Joseph favored peace. As the council was underway, a young brave came with news that he and several others had killed four white men in an act to initiate war. Hoping to avoid more bloodshed, Joseph further led his people north to the reservation. However, they were attacked before getting there and retreated towards the Canadian border. Joseph led 800 Nez Perce with 2000 US soldiers close behind. For over 3 months, Joseph and his people fought and outmaneuvered their pursuers for 1,700 miles across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. The Nez Perce used advance and rear guards, skirmish lines, and field fortifications against the much impressed General Howard. Freezing weather, non-stop battle, lack of food, and lack of blankets forced Joseph to eventually surrender during this week in capitalism, 1877. Years later in 1881, the great chief Sitting Bull would also grow wary of fighting and surrender to federal troops. The following words are attributed to Chief Joseph at his formal surrender just 40 miles south of Canada.

“I am tired of fighting. Our Chiefs are killed; Looking Glass is dead, Ta Hool Hool Shute 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 of them 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.”

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