Who led the Nez Perce during their conflict with the U.S. Army in 1877?

Chief Joseph was a prominent leader of the Nez Perce during their conflict with the U.S. Army in 1877. His leadership was characterized by his strategic skill and eloquent speeches advocating for peace and the rights of his people. When the U.S. government sought to forcibly relocate the Nez Perce from their ancestral lands in the Wallowa Valley, Chief Joseph led his people in a remarkable and tactical retreat toward Canada, hoping to find refuge. His actions during this time are often noted for their emphasis on the desire for peaceful coexistence and resistance against oppression.

The other figures mentioned were influential Native American leaders, but they are associated with different tribes and historical contexts: Sitting Bull was a leader of the Lakota Sioux and is known for his role in the Battle of the Little Bighorn; Crazy Horse was a Lakota war chief who also fought against U.S. forces; and Red Cloud was a leader of the Oglala Lakota who played a significant role in resisting U.S. encroachment. Each contributed to the broader narrative of Native American resistance, but it was Chief Joseph who specifically led the Nez Perce during this particular conflict in 1877.