Nez Perce

The Nez Perce, named after the French term for pierced noses, are a tribe of Indians, traditionally of the Pacific Northwest, who currently inhabit and govern a reservation in Idaho.

They were instrumental in developing the Appaloosa horse breed. In addition, they developed a new breed of horses in 1995, called the Nez Perce Horse. It is a cross between the Appaloosa and the Asian horse, Akhal-Teke.

Chief Joseph: The leader of the Wallowa band who resisted attempts to move his band and other Indians to a reserve in Idaho. On October 5, 1877, Joseph finally surrendered in Montana.

Elaine Miles: Actress who starred in Northern Exposure

Archie Phinney: A scholar who penned Nez Perce Texts, a collection of Nez Perce myths and legens

Jack and Al Hoxie: Silent film actors

Jackson Sundown: A rodeo champion

• 1775: Smallpox reaches plateau reducing indigenous people by 50%

• 1805: Nez Perce meet Lewis and Clark Expedition

• 1825: Hudson Bay Company establishes Ft. Colville

• 1830: Congress passes the Indian Removal Act

• 1836: Mission established at Lapwai Creek Idaho by the Spauldings

• 1850: Land Donation Act opens land in Oregon to white settlers

• 1860: Gold discovered on Nez Perce reservation

• 1863: The Thief Treaty, or Lapwai Treaty deprived the Non-Treaty Bands of their lands

• 1866: Indian lands appropriated for trans continental railroad

• 1871: Old chief Joseph dies

• 1872: Colville Reservation established

• 1873: Ulysses S. Grant reserves land in Wallowa Valley for Nez Perce

• 1875: Grant takes back the land and opens it to white settlers

• 1877: Flight of the Nez Perce, June 17- Oct 5

• 1885: Move to Colville Reservation

• 1887: Dawes Act, or General Allotment Act enacted

• 1890: Idaho admitted to the Union

• 1904: Chief Joseph dies

• 1924: Citizenship granted to Native Americans