Nez Perce led by Chief Joseph, Lapwai, Idaho. The villages were led by an elders, who, together, formed the council. The tribe was organized into two bands, the Upper Clearwater River Nimi'ipu and the Lower Nimi'ipu of the Wallowa Valley, each band consisted of smaller groups of Nez Perce, who lived along waterways in villages. The tribe moved seasonally and roamed Southeastern Washington, Northeastern Oregon, Western Montana and Wyoming, while Central Idaho remained their traditional homeland. The Nez Perce, called the Nimi'ipuu in their native language, were warriors, though, according to Lewis and Clark, they were peaceful. The reservation is approximately 770,453 acres with a population of roughly 2,010, according to the 2000 U.S. The Nez Perce tribal reservation is located in north-central Idaho in Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis, and Nez Perce Counties. The Nez Perce Tribe is a federally recognized Native American tribe.
