Nimi'ipuu

another in my Earth Series, this is the Nimi'ipuu/ Nez Perce reservation.



"My son, my body is returning to my mother earth, and my spirit is going very soon to see the Great Spirit Chief. When I am gone, think of your country. You are the chief of these people. They look to you to guide them. Always remember that your father never sold his country. You must stop your ears whenever you are asked to sign a treaty selling your home. A few years more, and white men will be all around you. They have their eyes on this land. My son, never forget my dying words. This country holds your father's body. Never sell the bones of your father and your mother." Chief Joseph (March 3, 1840 – September 21, 1904) to his son, shortly before his death.

The Nez Perce are a tribe of Native Americans who live in the Pacific Northwest region (Columbia River Plateau) of the United States. It is estimated that at the time of the Lewis and Clark Expedition the native people had been in the area for over 10,000 years. The tribe currently governs and inhabits a reservation in Idaho. The Nez Perce's name for themselves is Nimíipuu, which means simply "the people", or "we the people". The name "Nez Percé" (meaning "pierced nose") is derived from the French, a name inspired by nose pendants some of them wore, although this practice was more common among tribes downriver. On October 5, 1877, Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Nation surrendered to units of the U.S. Cavalry near Chinook in the north of what is now Montana. Before this surrender the Nez Perce fought a cunning strategic retreat toward refuge in Canada from about 2,000 soldiers. This surrender, after fighting 13 battles and going about 1,800 miles toward Canada, marked the last great battle between the U.S. government and an Indian nation.

After surrendering, Chief Joseph stated his famous quote "Hear me, my chiefs, I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever."


"The jurisdiction of the Nez Perce Tribe shall extend to all lands within the original confines of the Nez Perce reservation boundaries as established by treaty; and extra-territorial jurisdiction for the purposes of protecting the rights of the Nez Perce Tribe as guaranteed by treaties with the United States of American; and also to such other lands as may be hereafter acquired by or for the Nez Perce Indians of Idaho." (taken from 1999 Revised Constitution and by laws of the Nez Perce Tribe)

Before the White man came to settle the northwest the Nimi'ipuu lived in peaceful groups traveling seasonally with the deep canyons cut by the Snake, Clearwater and Salmon rivers.

The Nimi'ipuu traveled across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. The tradition homeland of the NiMiiPuu is North Central Idaho, including areas in Southeastern Washington, Northeastern Oregon with usual and accustomed areas in Western Montana and Wyoming. The Nimi'ipuu aboriginal territory was approximately 17 million acres or approximately 70 thousand square kilometers or 27 thousand square miles; including the Clearwater River Basin, and the South and Middle forks of the Salmon River Basin.

Today the Nimi'ipuu live all over the world, but the Nez Perce Reservation is located in North Central Idaho.

Communites and towns within the Nez Perce Reservation: Myrtle, Lenore, Ahsahka, Orofino, Spalding, Lapwai, Gifford, Sweetwater, Culdesac, Greer, Reubens, Winchester, Craigmont, Nezperce, Kamiah, Waha, Ferdinand, Greencreek, Kooskia, Stites, Peck, Cottonwood Creek, Jacques Spur, Slickpoo Mission, Mohler, Clear Creek, Westlake.


Nez Perce warrior photo and google earth of the reservation area.

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