Nez Perce - Lewis and Clark

Nez Perce Tribe

Nez Perce is a misnomer given the tribe by the interpreter of the Lewis and Clark expedition team of 1805. The French translate it as "pierced nose". Even though the Nez Perce didn't pierce their nose, they kept the name and today pronounce it "Nezz Purse". Ni Mii Pu (Ni-MEE-Poo) is what tribal members call themselves. It means THE People.

When the Lewis and Clark Expedition encountered the Nez Perce on the Weippe Prairie in 1806 the Ni Mii Pu welcomed the explorers. They fed and refreshed them, helped them build canoes, and showed them the way to the Pacific Ocean.

Today the Nez Perce Reservation in Idaho totals about 138,000 acres. Approximately 1800 of the 3100 enrolled Idaho members live on the reservation itself. The governing body for the reservation is the nine-member Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee.

For more information about the Nez Perce Tribe, visit the Nez Perce National Historical Park in Spalding Idaho, or click here.


Welcome Route in Idaho Native Peoples Lemhi Shoshoni Nez Perce Salish Points of Interest Events Plan Expedition Resources Maps and Images Links Contact Us Free Publications	Nez Perce Tribe Nez Perce is a misnomer given the tribe by the interpreter of the Lewis and Clark expedition team of 1805. The French translate it as "pierced nose". Even though the Nez Perce didn't pierce their nose, they kept the name and today pronounce it "Nezz Purse". Ni Mii Pu (Ni-MEE-Poo) is what tribal members call themselves. It means THE People. When the Lewis and Clark Expedition encountered the Nez Perce on the Weippe Prairie in 1806 the Ni Mii Pu welcomed the explorers. They fed and refreshed them, helped them build canoes, and showed them the way to the Pacific Ocean. Today the Nez Perce Reservation in Idaho totals about 138,000 acres. Approximately 1800 of the 3100 enrolled Idaho members live on the reservation itself. The governing body for the reservation is the nine-member Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee. For more information about the Nez Perce Tribe, visit the Nez Perce National Historical Park in Spalding Idaho, or click here.