Nez Perce's Influence On American Culture

The Nez Perce are a Federally recognized Native American tribe located in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, Specifically located on the Columbia River Plateau. They were a powerful and respected tribe in the Plateau region. In 1800 the Nez Perce land stretched nearly 17 million acres across modern day Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. The same year Michael G. Johnson wrote The Native Tribes of North America in which he estimated the Nez Perce population to be just over 6,000. By 1900 the population had been cut down to less than 1,500, Or under a quarter of what it had been a century earlier, This was due to diseases introduced by the Europeans and Nez Perce War of 1877. Today the population is split between two local reservations;

They were immediately pursued by 2,000 U.S. Army troops led by General Howard. The Nez Perce used their wit and knowledge of the land to constantly outsmart and successfully flee for 1,600 miles through the difficult terrain of Idaho, Wyoming and Montana during the late summer to the late fall. Their 4 month pursuit consisted of 14 separate battles with the U.S. Army, The Army was better equipped and better trained and still nearly allowed the Nez Perce to escape to Canada. If it wasn't for U.S. Colonel Nelson Miles, Who was tasked with intercepting the Nez Perce before they could reach Canada. A mere 30 miles from the Canadian border, At Snake Creek in Montana, Where Colonel Miles and his 5th U.S. infantry regiment intercepted Joseph. The Nez Perce battled Colonel Miles for 6 days, Which gave General Howard and his men enough time to catch up. Upon arriving, General Howard's troops surrounded the Nez Perce, They were then outnumbered and completely surrounded, The only logical choice left was to surrender. It was then at that time Chief Joseph gave his famous speech where he humbly stated “Hear me, my chiefs, I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more,