This book tells the true story of the Nez Percé leader, Chief Joseph. Many mistakenly think the great warrior led all the Nez Percé. His true fame rests on his leadership of only a few hundred. During his long march toward freedom, the press raced to print stories about Chief Joseph. Some were made up, but others were true. The events described in this book all really happened.
In French, Nez Percé (pronounced Nay Pear-say) means "pierced nose." In the early 1800s, French trappers first met the tribe. A few of the Native Americans wore dentalium shells through their noses. The practice was not common among these people, but the name stuck anyway.