Chief Joseph
Chief Joseph was a Nez Perce chief who led his people on an epic flight across the Rocky Mountains.
Tribe Chief
1840
September 21, 1904
64
Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt, commonly known as Chief Joseph, was a prominent 19th-century leader of the Wallowa band of the Nez Perce tribe. He gained recognition for his steadfast resistance against the forced relocation of his people from their ancestral lands. Chief Joseph’s surrender speech, in which he declared his people’s loyalty to the United States government, is his most renowned work. Additionally, he was an advocate for Native American rights and was known for his peaceful approach to resolving conflicts. Several books and documentaries have been produced about Chief Joseph, such as “Chief Joseph and the Flight of the Nez Perce: The Untold Story of an American Tragedy” and “I Will Fight No More Forever: Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce War.”
An intriguing aspect of Chief Joseph’s life is that he led the Wallowa band of the Nez Perce tribe, also known as wal-lam-wat-kain, on a remarkable journey across the Rocky Mountains in an effort to escape forced relocation.