Everything Everywhere Daily · Thursday, September 24, 2026
At the 1855 Walla Walla Council, Nez Perce leaders, including Chief Old Joseph, believed they had secured their ancestral lands through a treaty that ceded 7.5 million acres to the federal government. This treaty had the unanimous consent of all 56 Nez Perce bands and was seen as an agreement that would protect their future.
“At the conference, the Nez Perce leaders led by Chief Old Joseph, the father of Chief Joseph, believed that they had secured their land.”
“The tribal leaders ceded 7.5 million acres to the federal government while securing their jurisdiction over their ancestral lands, including the Walla Valley.”
“Unlike many treaties between the US government and native nations, this treaty had the unanimous consent of all 56 bands of the Nez Perce.”
“Old Joseph left the council confident that the agreement had secured his people's future.”