People found gold in the Bitteroot Mountains in Idaho.  The mountain settlers tried to take the land from Chief Joseph and his people so they could get the gold.  Chief Joseph tried to lead his people to freedom.  Joseph attempted to lead his people to Canada where he thought they could be free.  Joseph only wanted what was best for his people and tried to solve the conflict between the Nez Perce and the American government peacefully.  That did not happen.  Chief Joseph and his people were captured 20 miles from the Canadian border.  Before surrendering Joseph made the American Government promise to take his people to reservations near the Walla Walla Valley.  Chief Joseph also made a moving and memorable speech about how he felt about what had taken place.  The speech is below:
 

 Chief Joseph's Surrendering Speech (Bear Paw Mountain 1877)

      Tell General Howard that I know his heart. What he told me before I have in my heart. I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed. Looking Glass is dead, Tu-hul-hil-sote is dead. the old men are all dead. It is the young men who now say yes or no. He who led the young men [Joseph's brother Alikut] is dead. It is cold and we have no blankets. The little children are freezing to death. My people -- some of them have run away to the hills and have no blankets and no food. No one knows where they are -- perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my chiefs, my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands I will fight no more against the white man.
 
Colville Reservation (Reservation where Chief Joseph
was taken after being captured by the American Government)
               Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce depended on
                                                                       the buffalo for clothing and food to survive
                                                                       the harsh winters in the Walla Walla Valley.