World History

An eminently reasonable guy, with eminently reasonable requests of the U.S. government. He and several other bands of Nez Perce refused to move to reservations outside their traditional lands, but attempted to remain at peace with the U.S. government. When young warriors from his band killed several settlers he opted for leading his people to Canada rather than entrust them to military justice.

He didn't want war but handled it with great skill when it came, albeit with the considerable help of other Nez Perce war leaders. The Nez Perce led the army on a 1500+ mile pursuit over very rough territory through Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana, with women and children in tow, during which they fought and won several battles against technologically and numerically superior forces.

When the army finally cornered them just south of the Montana-Canada border Joseph remained with the dependents and wounded, rather than make a run for the border and the safety of Canada as other warriors did.

Although consigned to the Indian Territories for several years, he managed to convince the government to finally allow his people a reservation in the northwest.

My mom (a secondary school History teacher) told me Chief Joseph's story when I was a young kid. Then I was more impressed with the military aspect of his achievement, but I've since come to recognize the humanity he displayed in trying to lead and protect his people during a time of great pressure, from without and within his tribe, which was as often as not informed by a spirit of great inhumanity.