"Nez Pierce Chief Joseph remains one of the most remarkable Native leaders who refused to willingly surrender his father's homeland to white settlers and gold diggers.
In 1877, within a year of the Battle of the Little Big Horn, Chief Joseph, the younger, would pull off one of the most extraordinary military feats in U.S. history. It began in the Nez Perce country that existed within Idaho, Washington and Oregon.
The Nez Perce were forced to sign the Stevens Treaty of 1855, which meant they had to give up thousands of acres of land to the U.S. government. They were able to remain in the heart of their territory, which was the Wallowa Valley in eastern Oregon.
But when gold was discovered, new treaties were created. Even though the Joseph Band of Nez Perce refused to sign, they were still forced to new lands in Idaho. Distraught warriors, consequently, killed some white settlers, which started the Nez Perce War, a 1,200-mile retreat of the Joseph Band that led to their final capture in Montana, 40 miles short of Canada, where they sought refuge.
But the Nez Perce homeland in the Wallowa Valley still calls."
Get the Story:Nez Perce homeland will always be sacred (The Missoulian 6/3) More Jodi Rave:
YWCA honorees empower us all (The Missoulian 6/1) Relevant Links:
Jodi Rave - http://www.missoulian.com/jodirave Related Stories:
Jodi Rave: Covering tribal disenrollments (5/30)
Jodi Rave: Paying respects to the departed (5/28)
Jodi Rave: Women of color need to work together (5/24)
Jodi Rave: Disenrollment and the national media (5/21)
Jodi Rave: Native women take up walking challenge (5/16)
Jodi Rave: Navajo family takes the WOMAN Challenge (5/14)
Jodi Rave: Basketball standout graduates from UM (5/14)
Jodi Rave: Native language programs struggle (5/8)
Jodi Rave: NARF delivers message with hip-hop (5/7)
Jodi Rave: Leadership in a multicultural age (4/30)
Jodi Rave: More Natives needed in journalism (4/20)
Jodi Rave: Probate reform changes 'devastating' (4/16)
Jodi Rave: Indian probate conference in Montana (3/30)
Jodi Rave: Native language preservation efforts (4/16)
Jodi Rave: Cobell calls for accountability (4/12)
Jodi Rave: Doctrine of Discovery and Indians (4/11)
Jodi Rave: Tribal colleges press for federal funds (4/6)
Jodi Rave: George Longfish never short on imagery (4/4)
Jodi Rave: Cobell calls trust offer 'insulting' (3/30)
Jodi Rave: Indian probate conference in Montana (3/30)
Jodi Rave: Lawmaker a symbol of Old West ignorance (3/26)
Jodi Rave: Res2007 highlights tribal economies (3/19)
Jodi Rave: Violence against Native women rising (03/12)
Jodi Rave: Violence against Native women rising (03/12)
Jodi Rave wins national fellowship award (03/06)
Jodi Rave: Natives find 'Voices' at Autry Museum (3/2)
Jodi Rave: Environmental racism expert in Montana (3/1)
Jodi Rave: Chippewa Cree artist honors heritage (2/28)
Jodi Rave: Nellie Two Bulls leaves strong legacy (2/22)
Jodi Rave: Count me among America's lawn freaks (2/20)
Jodi Rave: Tribes receive heating assistance (2/19)
Jodi Rave: Tex Hall leaves tribe with $100M-plus debt (2/12)
Jodi Rave: Meet your next Native American Idols (2/12)
Jodi Rave: Without funds, NAIHC fires half of staff (2/9)
Jodi Rave: Montana panel cuts Indian education budget (2/7)
Jodi Rave: Sharing the dance and harvest in Alaska (2/5)
Jodi Rave: Montana family preserves beading (1/30)
Jodi Rave: Navajo Nation to market scenic routes (1/22)
Jodi Rave: Native youth get turned onto reading (1/19)
Jodi Rave: Think tank aims to help Native students (1/16)
Jodi Rave: Winona LaDuke speaks in Montana (1/11)
Jodi Rave: Myers drops bid for 9th Circuit seat (1/11)
Jodi Rave: Interior mum on class action tribal suit (1/5)
Jodi Rave: Rep. Rehberg backs Indian committee (1/5)
Jodi Rave: Cobell sees hope for case in new year (1/2)
Jodi Rave: Native American Basketball Invitational (12/20)
Jodi Rave: Wellness wave sweeps Indian Country (12/18)
Jodi Rave: NIGC presents new hurdle for tribes (12/12)
Jodi Rave: Tribes share success stories on TV, radio (12/12)
Jodi Rave: Indian family stands up to racism (12/11)
Jodi Rave: Gaming talk at University of Montana (12/8)
Jodi Rave: Freedom of the press in Indian Country (12/4)
Jodi Rave: Writer's views on poverty draw heat (12/1)
Jodi Rave: Native students not always a priority (11/27)
Jodi Rave: Native veterans are the unsung heroes (11/13)
Jodi Rave: Election Day for Indian Country (11/9)
Jodi Rave: Northern Cheyenne teen survives cancer (11/6)
Jodi Rave: Native candidates seek more Native votes (11/2)
Jodi Rave: Series on violence against Native women (10/30)
Jodi Rave: An environmental role for Natives (10/26)
Jodi Rave: Burns and Tester seek Indian vote (10/23)
Jodi Rave: Rehberg and Lindeen tout tribal issues (10/23)
Jodi Rave: UN to honor Chief Arvol Looking Horse (10/18)
Jodi Rave: Tribes bless site of Native center at UM (10/16)
Jodi Rave: Tribes to bless Native center at UM (10/11)
Jodi Rave: Play brings treaty to life for students (10/10)
Jodi Rave: Tribe rallies against drugs and abuse (10/9)
Jodi Rave: Open college doors to Native students (10/4)
Jodi Rave: Series on violence against Native women (10/2)
Jodi Rave: Series on violence against Native women (9/26)
Jodi Rave: Series on violence against Native women (9/25)
Jodi Rave: Series on violence against Native women (9/22)
Jodi Rave: Series on violence against Native women (9/18)
Jodi Rave: More Native students enter college (9/11)
Jodi Rave: Campaign seeks Native marrow donors (9/6)
Jodi Rave: Sharing tribal histories of Sacagawea (9/5)
Jodi Rave: Native athletic events an inspiration (8/28)
Jodi Rave: Cultural revival on the reservation (8/21)
Jodi Rave: Accurate media coverage of Natives (8/10)
Jodi Rave: From the Chickasaw Nation to Broadway (8/7)
Jodi Rave: Indigenous summit at base of Bear Butte (8/1)
Jodi Rave: Fire Thunder steps into ring of fire (7/31)
Jodi Rave: Dangerous policy on Native ancestors (7/28)
Jodi Rave: Cobell worried about settlement legislation (7/24)
Jodi Rave: Documentary explores Indian land (7/24)
Jodi Rave: Gathering celebrates Native women warriors (7/17)
Jodi Rave: HUD releases block grants for tribes (7/10)
Jodi Rave: Montana Natives win at Indigenous Games (7/7)
Jodi Rave: Indigenous Games kick off in Colorado (7/4)
Jodi Rave: Indigenous Games propel indigenous rights (7/3)
Jodi Rave: Tribal housing hurt by HUD decision (6/29)
Jodi Rave: Passing on the stories of the people (6/26)
Jodi Rave: Ulali carries on singing tradition (6/20)
Jodi Rave: Churchill fabricated history of my people (6/19)
Jodi Rave: Native family gets help with first home (6/12)
Jodi Rave: Express tribal identity at graduation (5/30)
Jodi Rave: Trendsetters at UM Indian journalism (5/22)
Jodi Rave: Immigrant marchers belong to Native America (05/08)
Jodi Rave: Tribes alarmed at trust reform initiative (04/03)
Jodi Rave: Racial tensions in border communities (04/03)
Jodi Rave: Program to help Natives in legal system (02/14)
Jodi Rave: Tribal employee admits to fraud in Iraq (2/13)
Jodi Rave: Tribal political donations debated (2/9)
Jodi Rave: Native people object to school mascots (2/6)
Jodi Rave: Garcia calls for settlement of Cobell (2/3)
Jodi Rave: Native conservation a focus of conference (2/2)
Jodi Rave: Chippewa Cree artist honored for work (1/27)
Jodi Rave: HUD loans a success in Indian Country (1/23)
Jodi Rave: Burns to celebrate birthday with lobbyists (1/19)
Jodi Rave: Sen. Burns ignored Cobell, tribal issues (1/17)
Jodi Rave: King speech still matters to Indians (1/16)
Jodi Rave: Black Indians struggle for acceptance (12/05)
Jodi Rave: Deloria represented human adventure (11/17)
Jodi Rave: Applause for Gov. Schweitzer at NCAI (11/07)
Jodi Rave: Natives pay for health care with lives (10/24)
Jodi Rave: Group to propose Tribal Justice Act (10/10)
Jodi Rave: Blackfeet citizens invest in their future (10/03)
Jodi Rave: Media needs more Native journalists (9/23)
Jodi Rave: Indian Country guide an essential tool (09/13)
Jodi Rave: Free press in Indian Country a big issue (08/15)
Jodi Rave: The best fry bread in Indian Country? (7/29)
Jodi Rave: Tragedy on the Red Lake Reservation (07/11)
Jodi Rave: Blackfeet opera lacks authenticity (07/11)
Jodi Rave: Reporting on reservations is improving (06/02)
Jodi Rave: Hope remains after mother's passing (05/11)
Jodi Rave: Fewer and fewer Indians in newsrooms (04/25)
Jodi Rave: 'No Media' sign at Red Lake not for me (04/14)
Jodi Rave: Indians don't pay taxes and other myths (03/11)
Jodi Rave: Deloria unknown because he's Indian (01/24)
Jodi Rave: Native participation needed in politics (01/10)
Jodi Rave: What was 'Kokopelli' professor thinking? (12/15)
Jodi Rave Lee: It feels good to be a grandmother (11/23)
Jodi Rave: Native veterans denied home loans (11/11)
Jodi Rave: Indian issues need more than a month (11/9)
Jodi Rave Lee: Protecting rights of Native voters (11/04)
Jodi Rave Lee: Trail tells story of Nez Perce (10/12)
Jodi Rave: Mixed emotions surround NMAI opening (09/27)
Jodi Rave Lee: Native image on coin inspires pride (09/14)
Jodi Rave Lee: Indians, Iraqis have much in common (08/30)
Jodi Rave Lee: Gag order sign of poor leadership (08/09)
Jodi Rave Lee: Native presence can't be denied (08/02)
Jodi Rave Lee: Warrior spirit gives Natives hope (07/06)
