Native Americans information
Endangered Indian languages
Native nations
Nez Perce [archive]
This article has been archived from the now-defunct MSU E-Museum (http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/)
for educational purposes. Please visit our Article Archive Index for
further information. If the author of this article would like to make changes to it, or if you are the author of another article you would
like us to add to our archives, please contact us.
Nez Perce
Location: The Nez Perce Indians were once the largest congregation of tribes in the western United States. They
spanned across the open lands of the northwest and even went as far as the Great Plains during the hunting season.
History: The name Nez Perce actually represents many distinct tribes with many cultural differences that all existed
together peacefully, and for that reason they are usually thought of as being one tribe. The words Nez Perce mean those with
pierced noses. It is a misnomer given to the band of Indians by Lewis and Clark during their travels across the country.
The real tribal name is Nee-Me-Poo. These culturally diverse people have never practiced piercing in their ceremonies or in
daily life. They were mistaken for another tribe that lived farther south and did practice piercing in their religious ceremonies.
The Nez Perce land was cut to 138,000 acres after the treaties brought by the Union army were enforced. Approximately 17,000,000 acres of Nez Perce land was taken by white settlers moving westward. Despite this huge loss of land, the Nez Perce today, still tie everything to their landscape. Their calendar, religion, and legends are all interwoven with the nature that surrounds them. As one Nez Perce Indian said, "It’s a land defined by weather, etched by rivers, and freed from time."
Daily Life: Many Nez Perce have adapted to new ways of life and new religions over time, but the old Nez Perce faith is still quite alive and is passed down from generation to generation through stories and fables. For the Nez Perce, the physical and spiritual aspects of life and nature are never separated. This is evident in their colorful celebrations and ceremonies. This way of life and these philosophies are still taught today on the reservations and in the surrounding schools.
Law, order, and compliance have always been an integral part of Nez Perce life. Today, there is a council of nine members which forms the governing board and handles many aspects of reservation life. In the old days, however, this committee was non-existent. The Nez Perce lived under a chief system of government. One of the most famous chiefs, Chief Joseph (Hin-ma-toe-yah-laht-khit) was the leader of the Nez Perce during the middle and late 1800’s when trouble with the white immigrants started.
Chief Joseph always believed that the Indian and the white man could live in harmony together in the same land, but with each push by the U.S. Army to wipe the Indian tribes off of the land, it became more and more evident to him that living together peacefully with the white people would be impossible. In 1877, the Nez Perce war broke out and the tribes fought, with no avail, to maintain their land. They were eventually forced to flee and were pursued by the Army for 1,800 miles. When they reached Montana, Chief Joseph decided that he and his people had had enough. He called all of the other Nez Perce chiefs together and surrendered. At this time he delivered one of the most famous quotes of North American history, "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."
This quote lives on in every Nez Perce Indian today. They are a peaceful people who strive to maintain their culture and the ancient ways of their ancestors. Even though they do not own the land they once called home, to them it is still theirs to worship and it is land for everyone to admire. This is the philosophy of the Nez Perce Indians.
Additional Reading
Nez Percé
Nez Perce Tribe
Nez Perce Culture
Idaho Indian Tribes
Read our article submission guidelines
Tohono O'odham language
Skagit
El Azteca
Hiawatha
Would you like to help support our organization's work with endangered American Indian languages?