Chief Joseph

Chief Joseph was a leader of the Nez Perce tribe in the late 19th century, best known for his resistance against U.S. government policies that forced Native Americans to relocate from their ancestral lands. In 1877, he led his people on a remarkable retreat across several states to avoid capture, famously declaring, "I will fight no more forever" upon surrendering. His eloquent speeches and dignified manner made him a symbol of Native American rights and struggle. Chief Joseph's legacy endures as a poignant reminder of the conflicts between Indigenous peoples and the U.S. government during westward expansion.