Chief Joseph was a great leader. He was wise and his tribe was unique. He also didn't seem to care as much about the power as he did his tribe. That trait almost always makes a wonderful leader.
First of all, Chief Joseph fought for the rights of Native Americans. It all started when President Ulysses S. Grant wanted the Nez Perce's land, so they would be forced to move to a reservation. Chief Joseph reluctantly agreed to move. Just before it was time to leave, one man in the tribe decided to get revenge on the white man who killed his father. When Chief Joseph heard, he was furious because he knew that the whites would retaliate. When the came, a battle started, and the Army fired the first shot. After the Nez Perce killed one third of the Army, they fled, which led to a series of battles.
Chief Joseph, at only thirty-six years old, led 200 men and 600 women and children toward Canada. On this journey, where the army caught up with them occasionally, Chief Joseph showed his amazing fighting strategies, most of them not commonly used by Native Americans. He took high ground, dug rifle pits, and found a way to surround a force six times its size. On top of this, the Nez Perce still out-shot and out-rode the Army.
Even during the battles, Chief Joseph was great at protecting his people. One time, toward the end of the war, his wife asked to stay and fight. Joseph said no and sent her to Canada with their baby and two escorts.
Chief Joseph was very responsible and wise. He once said, “It is easy to raise the rifle, but it is hard to put it down.” He was also schooled in white man's ways, so he was just as smart as they were. At the end of the war, Chief Joseph said, “I will fight no more forever.” Many people in his tribe were dying or dead, so he surrendered so that no one else had to suffer. He agreed to stop running and move to the reservation.
Chief Joseph always did what was best for his people. He was thoughtful, too. Chief Joseph was an admirable man, and you couldn't ask for a better leader.
