Denise Gibson, age 13, of Nampa, Ida., for her question:
HOW DID THE NEZ PERCE INDIANS RECEIVE THEIR NAME?
Nez Pence Indians form a tribe that can be found living in central Idaho, northeastern Oregon and southeastern Washington. Nez Pence in French means "pierced nose." A French explorer gave the Indians the name in 1805 when he saw some tribe members wearing shells in their noses as decorations.
The truth of the matter, however, is that very few of the Indians ever pierced their noses. The name, nevertheless, stuck.
Today, many members of the tribe live on rich farmlands and forests in the Northwest. Agriculture and lumber are their chief industries.
Originally tribe members lived in the area where Idaho, Oregon and Washington meet. They were pushed out of this region when prospectors overran their reservation after geld was discovered there in the 1860s.
Earlier many of the Nez Pence were involved in salmon fishing. They also raised bulbs of the camas plant and gathered wild roots and berries. After 1700 they started raising horses and also became buffalo hunters.
The Nez Pence lived in villages that were built next to rivers. Their houses, usually occupied only during the winters, were made of animal skins and bark. During the summer months tribe members often moved to the mountains, where they camped in highland meadows.
The Nez Pence decorated their buffalo skin clothing with porcupine quills and paint. They also did some weaving.
The Nez Pence deity was called the Guardian Spirit. Tribe members performed special religious dances in the deity's honor. In 1837 they requested instruction in Christianity and as a result a Protestant mission was opened among the Nez Pence at Lapwai, Ida.
In 1855 a treaty was made between the United States and the Nez Pence. The Nez Pence gave up much of their territory and received a reservation that included the Wallowa Valley in Oregon. They were forced to give up all of their land when gold was discovered nearby and they were moved to Lapwai.
The Nez Pence leader was named Hinmaton Yalaktit and called Chief Joseph. He flatly refused to accept the order to move and in 1877 he and his men were victorious in a fight with federal soldiers.
A retreat was led by Chief Joseph that included women and children and covered about 1,000 miles. Although they were greatly outnumbered by the federal forces that followed them, the Nez Pence were victorious in a number of clashes.
About 30 miles short of the Canadian border Chief Joseph and his group were captured and sent to Indian Territory. Many died. Later the majority went back to Idaho where the tribe now lives on a reservation. Chief Joseph and some of the tribe members were sent to Colville reservation in northern Washington.