Chief Joseph – known by his people as Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt (Thunder Rolling Down the Mountain), was best known for his resistance to the U.S. Government”s attempts to force his tribe onto reservations. The Nez Perce were a peaceful nation spread from Idaho to Northern Washington. The tribe maintained good relations with settlers after the Lewis and Clark Expedition. In 1855 Chief Joseph”s father, Old Joseph, signed a treaty with the U.S. that allowed his people to retain much of their traditional lands.