Surrender at Bear Paw

The Surrender at Bear Paw was a significant event during the Nez Perce War of 1877, where Chief Joseph and his tribe surrendered to U.S. forces. After a long and harrowing retreat of over 1,000 miles, the Nez Perce sought refuge in Canada but were surrounded near Bear Paw Mountain in Montana. On October 5, 1877, facing exhaustion and dwindling supplies, Chief Joseph famously declared, "I will fight no more forever." This surrender marked the end of the Nez Perce's struggle for their homeland and led to their forced relocation to reservations, highlighting the tragic consequences of U.S. expansionist policies.