Ollokot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ollokot
|
|
|---|---|
Ollokot
|
|
| Native name |
Ollikut
|
| Born | 1840s |
| Died | September 30, 1877 |
| Allegiance | Wallowa band of Nez Perce Indians |
| Battles/wars | Nez Perce War |
| Spouse(s) | Tamalwinonmi |
| Children | Sarah Connor |
| Relations | Tuekakas |
Ollokot (also known as Ollikut) was a brave war leader of the Wallowa band of Nez Perce people. He was a key leader for the younger warriors during the Nez Perce War in 1877. He was born in the 1840s and died on September 30, 1877.
Early Life and Family
Ollokot was the son of Old Chief Joseph (also called Tuekakas). His older brother was the famous Chief Joseph. Both his father and brother believed in peaceful ways to deal with new settlers. They tried to avoid fighting when white settlers and miners moved onto the Nez Perce lands.
People described Ollokot as tall, graceful, smart, fun-loving, and daring. He was a skilled hunter and a strong warrior. He also had experience in talking with others to solve problems. He went with his father and brother to important meetings. These meetings were held between the U.S. government and the Nez Perce in 1855 and 1863.
In early 1877, Ollokot joined Chief Joseph in talks with General O. O. Howard. General Howard demanded that the Nez Perce move from their traditional home in the Wallowa Valley, Oregon. He wanted them to move to a special area called a reservation in Idaho. Ollokot publicly supported his brother's efforts for peace. However, General Howard thought Ollokot secretly sided with the "reckless young men" who wanted to fight.
Ollokot was married to a woman named Tamalwinonmi, also known as Cloudburst. They had one child, who later became known as Sarah Connor.
The Nez Perce War
Even though Joseph and Ollokot agreed to General Howard's demand to move, some Nez Perce warriors were very angry. They had suffered unfair treatment. One Nez Perce man was even falsely accused of stealing a horse and murdered. Because of this, a few warriors started the war in June 1877. They attacked and killed 18 white settlers.
General Howard sent soldiers to stop the Nez Perce. But at the Battle of White Bird Canyon on June 17, 1877, Ollokot led about 70 Nez Perce warriors. They bravely defeated a much larger group of soldiers and volunteers.
The Nez Perce people, with only about 800 members and fewer than 200 fighting men, then began an amazing journey. They traveled about 1,400 miles (2,300 km) across Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. Many people think Chief Joseph was the only leader. But war chiefs like Ollokot, Looking Glass, White Bird, and Toohoolhoolzote likely planned the battles and movements.
The Nez Perce won or escaped from larger U.S. Army forces in several battles. These included fights at Cottonwood, Clearwater, Big Hole, and Canyon Creek. At the Battle of the Big Hole, Ollokot and 60 young men surrounded many soldiers. This allowed the Nez Perce people to escape safely. Later, he and others stopped General Howard by stealing his pack mules at the Battle of Canyon Creek.
However, the Nez Perce were eventually surrounded in the Bear Paw Mountains in Montana. Hundreds of U.S. soldiers trapped them. They were only 40 miles (65 km) from Canada, where they hoped to find safety. After a five-day battle called the Battle of Bear Paw, Chief Joseph surrendered on October 5, 1877. Ollokot had been killed on the first day of this battle, September 30, 1877. In his famous surrender speech, Chief Joseph honored Ollokot, saying: "He who led the young men is dead."
