Chasing Down Chief JosephChasing Down Chief Joseph

OregonOregon

November, 1877November, 1877

Joseph Becomes ChiefJoseph Becomes Chief

In 1863… The gold rush forces the Nez In 1863… The gold rush forces the Nez Perce people to hold a council, six million Perce people to hold a council, six million acres of their land is taken.acres of their land is taken.

In 1871… Joseph’s father becomes ill and is In 1871… Joseph’s father becomes ill and is close to deathclose to death

Later that year… Finally after serving many Later that year… Finally after serving many years as a tribe elder, he is appointed as years as a tribe elder, he is appointed as chief of the tribechief of the tribe

The TreatyThe Treaty

Early in 1873 Chief Joseph negotiated with Early in 1873 Chief Joseph negotiated with the federal government to keep his tribes the federal government to keep his tribes land in Wallowa Valleyland in Wallowa Valley

Suprisingly, the federal government agreed Suprisingly, the federal government agreed to this treaty, allowing the Nez Perce to to this treaty, allowing the Nez Perce to keep their land, or so they thought…keep their land, or so they thought…

The Wallowa ValleyThe Wallowa Valley

Picture taken atPicture taken at

the west fork ofthe west fork of

The Wallowa river from The Wallowa river from

the present daythe present day

Geographical LocationGeographical Location

The Wallowa Valley is The Wallowa Valley is in North-Eastern in North-Eastern OregonOregon

This landscape is ideal This landscape is ideal for farmingfor farming

Right next to the valley Right next to the valley is a fairly large lakeis a fairly large lake

The Deal Is BrokenThe Deal Is Broken

In 1877, General Otis In 1877, General Otis Howard, of the United Howard, of the United States Federal States Federal Government, Government, instructed the Nez instructed the Nez Perce people to move Perce people to move out of the land that out of the land that was supposed to be was supposed to be theirstheirs

The Beginning Of The EndThe Beginning Of The End

Joseph eventually Joseph eventually agreed to leave the agreed to leave the Wallowa Valley and Wallowa Valley and along with 350 along with 350 followers settled in followers settled in Whitebird Creek in Whitebird Creek in Idaho. Idaho.

RebellionRebellion

Around 190 young Around 190 young men rebelled against men rebelled against this decision and this decision and attacked white settlers attacked white settlers in what became known in what became known as the Nez Perce War. as the Nez Perce War.

Joseph's brother, Joseph's brother, Sousouquee, was Sousouquee, was killed during this killed during this fighting. fighting.

The Long MarchThe Long March

Chief Joseph and his Chief Joseph and his men began a 1,300 men began a 1,300 mile march to Canada. mile march to Canada.

However, on 5th However, on 5th October, 1877, the October, 1877, the Nez Perce were Nez Perce were surrounded by troops surrounded by troops only 30 miles from the only 30 miles from the Canadian border. Canadian border.

Capture, and BeatingCapture, and Beating

After meeting the Federal Government near After meeting the Federal Government near Canada, Chief Joseph agreed to Canada, Chief Joseph agreed to negotiations.negotiations.

During the meeting Joseph was seized and During the meeting Joseph was seized and beaten-up. beaten-up.

Nez Perce warriors retaliated by capturing Nez Perce warriors retaliated by capturing Lieutenant Lovell Jerome. Lieutenant Lovell Jerome.

ResolutionResolution

After a few weeks, After a few weeks, Chief Joseph was Chief Joseph was released in exchange released in exchange for Lieutenant Lovell for Lieutenant Lovell Jerome .Jerome .

The AftermathThe Aftermath

Eventually the Nez Perce Eventually the Nez Perce resolved the conflicts after resolved the conflicts after talks with Theodore talks with Theodore Roosevelt.Roosevelt.

In 1885 Joseph and his In 1885 Joseph and his people were forced to people were forced to move again and this time move again and this time they were settled in a they were settled in a reservation in the State of reservation in the State of Washington. Washington.

Chief Joseph died at the Chief Joseph died at the Colville Reservation on Colville Reservation on 21st September, 1904. 21st September, 1904.

Chasing Down Chief JosephChasing Down Chief Joseph

OregonOregon

November, 1877November, 1877