The Flight of the Nez Perces Summary

The Indian tribe called the Nez Perces encounters the Lewis and Clark expedition in September 1805, and aids the explorers by providing food and tending their horses while the expedition continues by water. This peace-loving tribe embraces white men until 1855 when Governor Isaac Stevens of the Washington Territory orders the demarcation of territory for the Nez Perces and the influx of white settlers. Many tribal leaders with the exception of the chief, Old Joseph, sign the agreement.

In the following years, the numbers of white men moving to the territory increase and a new treaty is drawn up in 1863 moving the Nez Perces to a region in Idaho. Old Joseph dies in 1871 leaving the leadership of the tribe to his son, Chief Joseph. Before long, U.S. government officials again want to move the...