White Bird (Native American leader) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
White Bird
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| Peo-peo-hix-hiix | |
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| Nez Perce tribe, Lamátta band leader | |
| Personal details | |
| Died | March 6, 1892 Pincher Creek |
| Cause of death | Murder |
White Bird (whose name was Peo-peo-hix-hiix, meaning "White Goose") was an important leader of the Nez Perce tribe. He was a war chief and a spiritual leader (sometimes called a Shaman or Prophet). White Bird led the Lamátta band, who lived in a village along the Salmon River. Their village was named after the area, which the Nez Perce called Lahmatta, meaning "area with little snow." This area is now known as White Bird Canyon.
White Bird's Story
Chief White Bird followed a special spiritual teaching called the Dreamer religion. This teaching came from Smohalla, a spiritual leader from another tribe.
In 1877, White Bird, along with Chief Joseph, led their people during the Nez Perce War. They tried to move from eastern Oregon through Montana towards the Canadian border. White Bird's group was large, with many people following him.
In October 1877, the U.S. Army, led by General Nelson Miles, attacked the Nez Perce at the Battle of Bear Paw. After five days of fighting, Chief Joseph and many others decided to stop fighting and were taken as prisoners.
However, White Bird refused to give up. On the night of October 5, he bravely slipped past the army. He led more than a hundred people to safety.
Life in Canada
In October 1877, White Bird and about ninety adults, plus many children, arrived in Saskatchewan, Canada. They brought around three hundred horses with them and joined Sitting Bull's camp.
White Bird and his family later settled in the Pincher Creek, Alberta, area. He chose to stay in Canada and never returned to the United States. White Bird was killed on March 6, 1892, by another Nez Perce man named Charley Hasenahamahkikt. The 22-year-old killer was caught and sent to prison in Canada.
Places Named After White Bird
The town of White Bird, Idaho, and the nearby White Bird Hill are named after this important chief. A famous battle from the Nez Perce War, the Battle of White Bird Canyon, happened in this area in June 1877.
