The Nez Perces Since Lewis and Clark chronicles how a mountain people met the challenges of a changing America.
It weaves history, culture, and personal portraits into a vivid account of the Nez Perces on the western frontier.
In this volume, you’ll explore the tribe’s homeland, beliefs, and daily life, from the Kamiah Valley to the routes that led to contact with white traders and settlers. The text blends historical context with the lived experience of the Nez Perces, including the work of missionary and field researchers who documented the community’s story and the shaping influence of Christian teaching, education, and citizenship.
- Learn how the Nez Perces defined their world, celebrated in ritual and daily practice, and how their beliefs connected to the land and the seasons.
- Meet key figures who shaped the community’s responses to new power and new laws, including leaders, teachers, and ministers who guided education and faith.
- See how allotment, missions, and schooling affected family life, community structure, and pathways to citizenship in a rapidly changing country.
- Discover scenes of life in Kamiah, from harvest and storytelling to the bonds of friendship, friendship, and resilience that sustained the people.
Ideal for readers of Native American history, western frontier studies, and biographical histories that emphasize real people and their everyday courage.