"I WILL FIGHT NO MORE, FOREVER!"

NEZ PERCE CHIEF JOSEPH DIES ON RESERVATION

Colville Reservation, Washington (JFK+50) Chief Joseph*, who once led his people in an attempt to escape the United States Army, died at age 64 of heart failure on September 21, 1904 here at the Colville Reservation.**

Chief Joseph and his Nez Perce tribe were considered"non-treaty" Native Americans. The Chief counseled his people to avoid violence against whites despite wrong-doings against them.

Joseph led his people on a 1170 mile journey in an attempt to avoid capture by the US Army and removal to the reservation.  The Nez Perce were pursued by General O.O. Howard and cut off from escape into Canada just 40 miles from the border in Montana.

Forced then to surrender, Chief Joseph said...

"Hear me my chiefs. I am tired of fighting. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more, forever."

*Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt, a.k.a. Chief Joseph (1840-1904) was born in the Wallowa Valley of northeastern Oregon.  CJ succeeded his father as chief of the Nez Perce in 1871 & negotiated with the US government for the right of his people to remain in the Wallowa Valley "for as long as the grass shall grow."

**The Colville Reservation is located in north central Washington state.  It was established in 1872 & consists of 2.825 million acres of land.  Many of the young people of the reservation go on to attend Eastern Washington University, Washington State University, Central Washington University, Gonzaga and the University of Washington.

Chief Joseph 

Photo by O.S. Goff

Bismarck, S.D.

Courtesy of Dr. James Brust