The Nez Percé (often pronounced “nez purse” in English) are a Native American people who originally lived in the valleys and prairies where present-day Idaho, Oregon, and Washington meet. Their own name for themselves is Nimiipuu, which means “the walking people” or “the real people.”

For centuries before European settlers arrived, the Nez Percé lived in villages along rivers, fishing for salmon, gathering roots and berries, and hunting deer and elk. They were among the first tribes in their region to become skilled horse breeders after Spanish horses reached the Pacific Northwest in the 1700s, and they became famous for their role in developing the spotted Appaloosa horse breed.

The Nez Percé helped Lewis and Clark survive their famous expedition in 1805, sharing food and knowledge when the explorers were starving and lost. They remained peaceful allies of American settlers for decades. But in 1877, the U.S. government tried to force them onto a small reservation. Led by Chief Joseph, about 800 Nez Percé, including many women, children, and elderly people, fled toward Canada, fighting off pursuing Army troops across 1,170 miles of mountains and plains. Though they ultimately surrendered just 40 miles from the Canadian border, their remarkable journey showed extraordinary courage and tactical skill.

Today, the Nez Percé continue their traditions in Idaho, celebrating their culture, language, and connection to their ancestral homeland.