Chief Joseph

The Nez Pierce people lived in peace with white intruders in their homelands until 1863, when a treaty called for the tribe's removal to a reservation in Idaho. Chief Joseph (1840-1904), headman of the Nez Pierce band in northeastern Oregon's Wallowa Valley, became the greatest diplomat, philosopher, and - from necessity rather than choice - war leader of his people, and is among the most respected Indian leaders of American history.