Nez Perce War Veterans

Paxat Ipeliikt (Sticking Five Arrows in Ground aka Timothy James) on the left and Weyetonatolaliikt Kaw’at (Johnson Hoyt) were both members of the Joseph Band and from the Wallowas. May, 1956.

Elen Moses Gathering Wood

Photo by Hutchison 

hímı.n maqsmáqs (Yellow Wolf)

Beginning in 1907 and continuing until his death in 1935, Yellow Wolf (center) provided a narrative of his story to author Lucullus McWhorter (on his left) through interpreters such as Thomas Hart (on his right). Yellow Wolf’s account is important because it is the only written, detailed description of the flight, escape to Canada and return, from a Nez Perce point of view. 

Sarah Conner and Family

Sarah, or Mrs. Edward Conner, was a wal̓wá•ma survivor, the daughter of olikut and tamalwinonmi, and granddaughter of tıwi•teqıs (Old Chief Joseph). Pictured from left to right, front to back, are: Joseph Conner, Blanche Conner, Edward Conner, Sarah Conner, Cyrus Conner, Gilbert Conner, and Etta Moffett. 

Seeking Refuge

wetyet’mus weheykt (Swan Necklace), pictured here with Albert Johnson (on left), was a member of the White Bird Band. He was known to have been one of the group of young warriors who set off the Salmon River raids, triggering the Nez Perce flight of 1877. Then aged 17, he did not commit any murders in the raids. Of the three men implicated in precipitating the war, only wetyet’mus weheykt survived to return to Lapwai. Known as John Minthorn to the whites, wetyétmes wehéyqt was never revealed by his fellow warriors in order to avoid that he “get in any trouble.” Lapwai, ID, ca. 1910. — LV McWhorter.

Friends and Relatives

The Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla tribes who were placed together onto the Umatilla Reservation near Pendleton share accustomed lands, religious practices, and family connections with the Joseph Band of the Nez Perce. Many Nez Perce live in and around Pendleton today. In this picture, Nez Perces walla-quamit and Jim White stand with Umatilla man named chu-ya in 1903. 

Arthur Cercle and Baby Brother

Two of Charlie Wilpoken’s sons. Nespelem, WA, ca. 1903.

Dancing

Genesee, ID, ca. 1915.

Headmen Visit Lapwai

This image from the turn of the century shows mitat weptes (Three Feathers), hinmató•wyalahtqit, and Yellow Bull on the Nez Perce reservation. Though some claim that Joseph never set foot on the Nez Perce Reservation after 1877, images such as this document frequent visits. 

waaya-tonah-toesits-kahn (Jackson Sundown)

1916 World Champion Bronc Rider and wal’wá•ma survivor. Still a child in 1877, he used his already superior horsemanship skills to escape to Canada, later returning to the US and competing in the rodeo circuit. He won the championship during the Pendleton Round Up at the age of 53, and afterward he came to live among his relatives on the Nez Perce reservation, raising horses and passing on his skills. 

Contact Information:
Office phone: 541.886.3101
Office email: info@wallowanezperce.org
Mailing address: P.O. Box 15, Wallowa, OR 97885

The Homeland:
70956 Whiskey Creek Rd., Wallowa, OR 97885
Open to the public dawn to dusk, seven days a week (except during special events)

The Visitor Center:
209 E Second St., Wallowa, OR 97885
Open May 6-September 29, 2024
Hours of Operation:
10:00am-2:00pm, Monday-Thursday, or Fridays by appointment. Closed Saturday and Sunday. Call or email the office to make an appointment.