crossing of the , Montana River, Missouri the of crossing

Big Hole on August 9. 9. August on Hole Big Steamboat Rock near Cow Island Island Cow near Rock Steamboat

their sleeping village at the the at village sleeping their

US Forest Service Image Image Service Forest US

a devastating army attack on on attack army devastating a

the U.S. Army, and repelled repelled and Army, U.S. the

battles and skirmishes with with skirmishes and battles

masterfully in some 20 20 some in masterfully

2,000 horses, they fought fought they horses, 2,000

sick. Leading a herd of of herd a Leading sick.

women, children, old and and old children, women,

warriors: the rest were were rest the warriors:

lives. Only 250 were were 250 Only lives.

desperately fled for their their for fled desperately

Swept into a fight they did not seek, nearly 750 Nez Perce Perce Nez 750 nearly seek, not did they fight a into Swept

the village had sought to avoid any involvement in it whatsoever. whatsoever. it in involvement any avoid to sought had village the

(Wrapped in the Wind - Chief Looking Glass) and his band into conflict; conflict; into band his and Glass) Looking Chief - Wind the in (Wrapped

’Elelímyete’qenin’m ’Elelímyete’qenin’m brought attack army unprovoked an later, weeks Two

after they defeated a cavalry force at the Battle of White Bird Canyon. Canyon. Bird White of Battle the at force cavalry a defeated they after

17 17 June on intensified and 1877 15, June began flight Perce Nez The

relatives by killing some white settlers. settlers. white some killing by relatives

Riding from camp at Tolo Lake, Idaho they avenged past murders of of murders past avenged they Idaho Lake, Tolo at camp from Riding

losing their homelands, provoked several young warriors to vengeance. vengeance. to warriors young several provoked homelands, their losing

Years of high-handedness and mistreatment, and the prospect of of prospect the and mistreatment, and high-handedness of Years

asked for an extension, which Howard brusquely refused. refused. brusquely Howard which extension, an for asked

was inadequate to gather the people and their horses and cattle, and and cattle, and horses their and people the gather to inadequate was

by force. The chiefs argued the time time the argued chiefs The force. by

or the army would make them comply, comply, them make would army the or

Crandall Creek, Wyoming Wyoming Creek, Crandall

Mountainous terrain along the trail, trail, the along terrain Mountainous

livestock to Lapwai in 30 days – days 30 in Lapwai to livestock

Roger Peterson - USDA / Forest Service Service Forest / USDA - Peterson Roger them to bring their families and and families their bring to them

Idaho. Howard summarily ordered ordered summarily Howard Idaho.

chiefs at a council in Fort Lapwai, Lapwai, Fort in council a at chiefs

Howard met the non-treaty Nez Perce Perce Nez non-treaty the met Howard

In May 1877, General Oliver Otis Otis Oliver General 1877, May In

Army was commanded to do so. do to commanded was Army U.S.

reservation in Idaho, and in 1877, the the 1877, in and Idaho, in reservation

Nez Perce to the reduced 1863 Treaty Treaty 1863 reduced the to Perce Nez

Joseph) and his band. Settlers petitioned the government to relocate the the relocate to government the petitioned Settlers band. his and Joseph)

(Thunder Rolling over the Mountains - Chief Chief - Mountains the over Rolling (Thunder Hinmatóowyalahtq’itnim

newcomers increased, particularly in the Wallowa region, home of of home region, Wallowa the in particularly increased, newcomers

ith with conflict But homelands. traditional within locations other and

For some years non-treaty Nez Perce continued to live in the Wallowas Wallowas the in live to continued Perce Nez non-treaty years some For

United States Department of Agriculture Since aiding the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1805, (Nee-Me-Poo) whites knew the Nez Perce Indians as friends. The Nez Perce Nez Perce (in their language Niimíipuu, meaning “the people”) lived in bands, welcoming traders and missionaries to a land framed by This Trail National Historic Trail the rivers, mountains, and valleys of present day southeastern is a Washington, northeastern Oregon, and north central Idaho. Sacred Trust for all Oregon • Idaho • Montana • Wyoming Fifty years after the Corps of Discovery, Washington Territorial Governor Isaac I. Stevens met in council with Americans ongress enacted the Nez Perce leaders. The resulting 1855 Treaty with the U.S. C Government guaranteed the tribes rights to their ancestral “We the surviving Nez Perce, National Trails System in 1968 homeland in perpetuity, and set aside a Nez Perce reservation of some 5,000 square miles. want to leave our hearts, Forest Service Bureau of Land National Park Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife to establish a framework for a U.S. Department Management U.S. Department of Service of Agriculture U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Department of memories, hallowed presence the Interior the Interior nationwide system of scenic, In 1860, encroaching prospectors struck gold in Idaho. as a never ending recreational and historic trails. Thousands of miners, merchants and settlers overran Nez Perce revelation to the story of land, seized resources and committed depredations against the events of 1877. tribal members. In 1863 the federal government responded These trails will live The Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) with new treaty talks. This time, the U.S. wanted most of the in our hearts.” National Historic Trail was Nez Perce reservation – including their treasured Wallowa region of northeastern Oregon and the Payette Lake region. authorized in 1986. “We want to thank all who visit Commemorating the 1877 Many chiefs refused and angrily departed. Amid these sacred trails, uncertainty, pressure, and promises, the remaining chiefs that they will war and flight, the trail extends reluctantly agreed to a reservation 90 percent smaller than share our innermost feelings. about 1,170 miles from the that of 1855. Without authority they ceded lands of Nez Perce Because their journey vicinity of Wallowa Lake, who left the council, in a document thereafter called makes this “the Thief Treaty.” an important time for Oregon to Bear Paw Battlefield near Chinook, Montana. Non-Indians distinguished those who signed as “treaty” the present, Nez Perce; those who had not were the “non-treaty.” past and future.” The 1863 Treaty divided the tribe and foreshadowed a war whose repercussions are still felt. Frank B. Andrews, Nez Perce Descendant

White Bird Battlefield, Nez Perce National Historical Park, Idaho

Photo by Roger Peterson - USDA/Forest Service Big Hole National Battlefield, Wisdom, Montana

Bear Paw Battlefield, Montana National Park Service Image Photo by Joni Packard - USDA/Forest Service The Nez Perce eluded more than 2,000 soldiers, civilian volunteers, and scouts from other Indian tribes, on a circuitous route through four states. They sought safety among Crow allies on the plains; when this failed, their Nez Perce in Exile last hope was sanctuary in Canada. After fleeing more than Fort Vancouver, Washington “A worse place to put a camp of four hundred human 1,100 miles they were trapped at Snake Creek, at the base of beings, mostly women and children could not have the Bears Paw Mountains in Montana, and forced to submit to In July of 1877 Tim’íne ’ilp’ílpnim (Chief Redheart) been selected; in fact it would seem as if this spot had Colonel Nelson A. Miles on October 5, 1877 – only 40 miles and his band returned from hunting in Montana been selected for the express purpose of putting an end from Canada. to discover their homeland embroiled in conflict. to and his band....One half were sick.....All Determined not to join the war, they believed General were filled with the poisonous malaria of the camp.” General William T. Sherman called the Nez Perce saga Howard when he promised them safe conduct to the Council Fire, August 1878 “the most extraordinary of Indian wars.” Today, their route reservation. Instead their horses were seized, their hair is designated the Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic cut and they were forcibly taken, all 33 men, women “I cannot tell how much my heart suffered for my Trail by act of Congress. and children, to Fort Vancouver. There they were held people while at Leavenworth. The Great Spirit Chief until April 1878 when they finally returned to Idaho. who rules above seemed to be looking some other way, This historic route was used in its entirety only once; Fort Vancouver 1854 from a lithograph by Gustavus Sohon and did not see what was being done to my people.” however, component trails and roads making up the Trail Fort Walsh, Canada saw generations of travel prior to and after the 1877 conflict. Ee Yak ish Pah (’iyeq’iispe) The Hot Country Hinmatóowyalahtq’it (Chief Joseph) Some became linked to modern road systems, while other Between September 30 and October 5, 1877 The Nez Perce National Historic Trail ends at the In July 1878, leaving an unknown number stretches were abandoned for more direct routes better suited nearly 300 Nez Perce men, women and children Bear Paw Battlefield, but the story did not end there. who had died and were buried near Fort to automobiles. In places the original Nez Perce Trail can be managed to escape the Bears Paw battle and make Colonel Nelson A. Miles had begun implementing the Leavenworth, the Nez Perce were transported experienced on the landscape today. their way the last forty miles to Canada. Along the way terms of Chief Joseph’s surrender when the army’s by rail car to Baxter Springs, Kansas, enroute to some of the people stopped at Cree, Assiniboine, Gros senior commander, General William T. Sherman, what would be their final “home in exile” at a Ventre, and Metis villages strung announced an alarming change of plans. Rather than reservation set aside for them near present-day along the Milk River. At some camps returning to Idaho as Miles promised, the Nez Perce Tonkawa, Oklahoma. the Nez Perce found refuge, at were ordered to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. From there others, death. they were sent on to Baxter Springs, then the Quapaw For a time some Nez Perce Reservation and Ponca Agency in Oklahoma. found refuge with the Lakota who The conditions were so dire that most Nez Perce babies had also fled to Canada after the born in Indian Territory died, and were buried there. Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876. The North West Mounted Police at Fort Walsh assured them they were welcome as long as they remained peaceful and stayed in Canada. Colonel Nelson A. Miles Courtesy of Montana Historical Society Research Center - Photograph Archives, In summer 1878 the U.S. Helena, Montana (943-884) government sent a delegation to persuade the Nez Perce refugees to return to American soil, and rejoin Joseph’s people. Some, like Piyóop’yoo ay áy nim (Chief White Bird’s) followers, chose to remain in Canada, while others opted to return on their own. Courtesy of the Glenbow Museum Archive (NA-5501-8)

Piyóop’yoo ay áy Courtesy of In 1885 these remaining people boarded (Chief White Bird) led Ask Us About Our an escape into Canada, a train at Arkansas City to start the bittersweet taking many who were journey west, some to reservations at Lapwai or “Experience the Nez Perce Trail” able to travel. Auto Tour Brochures Umatilla and others who chose to go with Chief Joseph to the Colville reservation. Their hearts The Trail is sacred ground; were heavy with the memories of those they had please respect the lost along the trail and those they were leaving resources during your travels. behind in this country of exile.

Courtesy of National Park Service, NPNHP Image 3315 Nez Perce at Lapwai, Idaho

Experience the Nez Perce Trail...

The Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) Beaverhead-Deerlodge Custer and Gallatin National Historic Trail stretches from National Forest National Forests Organizations Bureau of Land Management 420 Barrett Street 5001 Southgate Drive, Suite 2 Nez Perce Trail Partnership for the Vale District Office Upper Missouri River the Wallowa Valley of Oregon to the Dillon, MT 59725-3572 Billings, MT 59101 Foundation National Trails System 100 Oregon Street BreaksVisitor Center Bear Paw Battlefield in north central 406-683-3900 406-255-1400 www.nezpercetrail.net www.pnts.org/ Vale, OR 97918-9630 701 7th Street Montana. Today, travelers can retrace http://fs.usda.gov/bdnf http://fs.usda.gov/custergallatin/ 541-473-3144 Fort Benton, MT 59442 the approximate route of the 1877 Salmon-Challis Shoshone https://www.blm.gov/oregon­ 406-622-4000 Nez Perce flight by following the Nez National Forest National Forest National Park Service washington www.blm.gov/montana-dakotas Perce Trail auto route. The auto route 1206 S. Challis St. 808 Meadow Lane Nez Perce National Yellowstone Salmon Field Office Dillon Field Office Salmon, ID 83467 Cody, WY 82414-6241 Historical Park National Park crosses three-season, all-weather 1005 Selway Drive 208-756-5100 307-527-6241 39063 US Hwy 95 P.O. Box 168 1206 S.Challis St. roadways ranging from high-standard gravel segments to Dillon, MT 59725 http://fs.usda.gov/scnf http://fs.usda.gov/shoshone/ Spalding, ID 83540 Yellowstone, WY 82190-0168 Salmon, ID 83467 406-683-8000 Interstates. Nez Perce Trail signs, like the one shown here, 208-843-7001 307-344-7381 208-756-2215 www.blm.gov/montana-dakotas/ mark the entire route. Caribou-Targhee Hells Canyon National www.nps.gov/nepe www.nps.gov/yell www.blm.gov/idaho National Forest Recreation Area Billings Field Office For more information, contact: 1405 Hollipark Drive 201 East 2nd Street Big Hole Bear Paw Upper Snake Field Office Idaho Falls, ID 83401 P.O. Box 905 National Battlefield Battlefield 1405 Hollipark Drive 5001 Southgate Drive 208-524-7500 Joseph, OR 97846 P.O. Box 237 P.O. Box 26 Idaho Falls, ID 83401 Billings, MT 59101 Forest Service http://fs.usda.gov/ctnf/ 541-426-5546 Wisdom, MT 59761 Chinook, MT 59523 208-524-7500 406-896-5013 http://fs.usda.gov/wallowa­ 406-689-3155 406-357-3130 www.blm.gov/idaho www.blm.gov/montana-dakotas Nez Perce National Wallowa-Whitman Custer and Gallatin whitman www.nps.gov/biho Historic Trail National Forest National Forests Cody Field Office Cottonwood Field Office Administrators Office 12730 1550 Dewey Ave. Ste A 10 E. Babcock Avenue, Snake River Office 1002 Blackburn 1 Butte Drive Highway 12 Orofino, ID 83544 Baker City, OR 97814 P.O. Box 130 2535 Riverside Drive State Agencies P.O. Box 518 Cottonwood, ID 83522 208-476-8334 541-523-6391 Bozeman, MT 59771 P.O. Box 699 Cody, WY 82414-8464 208-962-3245 http://fs.usda.gov/npnht http://fs.usda.gov/wallowa­ 406-587-6701 Clarkston, WA 99403 Montana Department of Fish, Idaho Department of 307-578-5900 www.blm.gov/idaho whitman Wildlife & Parks Fish & Game www.blm.gov/wyoming http://fs.usda.gov/custergallatin/ 509-758-0616 Havre Field Office Nez Perce National 1420 East 6th Avenue P.O. Box 25 Historic Trail Lolo National Forest Helena, MT 59620 Boise, ID 83707 Lewistown Field Office 3990 Highway 2 24 Fort Missoula Road Public Affairs U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 406-444-2535 208-334-3700 920 NE Main St West, Havre, MT 59501 U.S. Forest Service Missoula, MT 59804 Lewistown, MT 59457 406-262-2820 Dworshak National Lee Metcalf National http://fwp.mt.gov www.idfg.idaho.gov 26 Fort Missoula Road 406-329-3750 www.blm.gov/montana-dakotas/ Fish Hatchery Wildlife Refuge 406-538-1900 Missoula, MT 59804 http://fs.usda.gov/lolo P.O. Box 18 4567 Wildfowl Lane www.blm.gov/montana-dakotas 406-329-3540 Malta Field Office Ahsahka, ID 83520 Stevensville, MT 59870 http://fs.usda.gov/npnht Bitterroot Missoula Field Office 501 South 2nd Street East, National Forest 208-476-4591 406-777-5552 Follow us on Twitter: 3255 Fort Missoula Road Malta, MT 59538, Nez Perce-Clearwater 1801 North 1st Street www.fws.gov/dworshak www.fws.gov/refuge/lee_ Missoula, MT 59804 406-654-5100 National Forests Hamilton, MT 59840 metcalf/ @npnht www.blm.gov/montana-dakotas Charles M. Russell 406-329-3914 903 3rd Street 406-363-7100 www.lnt.org NationalWildlife Refuge Red Rock Lakes www.treadlightly.org www.blm.gov/montana-dakotas Kamiah, ID 83536 http://fs.usda.gov/bitterroot P.O. Box 110 National Wildlife Refuge 208-935-4275 Airport Road 27650B South Valley Road http://fs.usda.gov/ Lewistown, MT 59457 Lima, MT 59739 For an interactive, Google Earth virtual tour of the trail nezperceclearwater 406-538-8706 406-276-3536 please visit the Nez Perce Trail Foundation website at www.fws.gov/refuge/ www.fws.gov/refuge/red_rock_ www.nezpercetrail.net The USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. charles_m_russell lakes/ R1–12–02 Revised December 2016