Chief Joseph
(1840[?]–1904)

Chief Joseph was born in the Wallowa Valley in what is now Oregon. His father, who was the chief of the Nez Percé tribe, converted to Christianity around the time of Joseph's birth, and he sent Joseph to a school run by missionaries.

In 1837, Joseph became chief, succeeding his father. At that time the United States Government was trying to force the Nez Percé to relocate to Idaho. The Nez Percé had signed a treaty in 1863 giving the government control of the tribe's land, but Chief Joseph felt that the treaty was illegal and refused to recognize it. Chief Joseph tried to negotiate with the government, but his attempts failed, and in June of 1877 the dispute erupted into a war. Hoping to join forces with the Sioux, Joseph led his people on a long march through Idaho and Montana toward the Canadian border. During the march the Nez Percé frequently clashed with federal troops and managed to win several battles. The tribe was heavily outnumbered by the government troops, however, and the Indians were forced to endure great hardships during the course of their retreat. Chief Joseph was forced to surrender on October 5, after being defeated in a battle in the Bear Paw Mountains in Montana.

After a period of imprisonment, Chief Joseph went to live in the Indian territory in what is now Oklahoma. During his later years, he tirelessly campaigned for Native American rights, contributing several essays to magazines and making a memorable series of public appearances in Washington, D.C.

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