The Nez Perce have general been peaceful throughout history. The nation had close connections to neighboring tribes through trade and also with white settlers. The Nez Perce, especially Old Chief Joseph, considered the death and devastation that would occur if they stood against westward expansion and fought like many other nations. This peace and voluntary land exchanges prevented many tragedies that others experienced, until the Nez Perce Wars of 1877.
The whole of the Nez Perce did not go through a spiritual genocide or strict control policies like many other tribes, such as the Sioux. Christianity was welcomed at first as the missionaries brought education and modern technology. Some members abandoned their ancestral religion while most integrated the old and new beliefs. While the spread of Christianity to natives is not always a form of religious repression or genocide, the conversion of the Nez Perce helped solidify the attempt to whitewash and ‘americanize’ the natives.
The spread of white religion would eventually cause factionalism to occur with in the Nez Perce as traditionalist and non traditionalists. Christianity would become a major issue for these people with the loss of their culture. Several revivals occurred in attempts to bring back Nez Perce ceremonies and traditional beliefs while also ridding the land of settlers. Most of these would come and go with interest dying out in the tribe. It wouldn’t be until the 1960’s that spiritual and cultural revitalization would occur. During this era religion, language, dance and other aspects of the Nez Perce would make a comeback to celebrate tribal culture.
Hillstom, L. (n.d.) Nez Perce. Retrieved from https://www.everyculture.com/multi/Le-Pa/Nez-Perc.html.
Matthew Gates 