Spectacular large leather folk art piece featuring the likeness of Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce tribe of Native Americans. Chief Joseph's tribe occupied what is now the Grande Ronde valley in Oregon an area taken by the government as part of a treaty made with other bands of the Nez Perce. When Chief Joseph refused to leave General O. O. Howard of the army paid a visit insisting that Chief Joseph's people must obey the treaty or be removed by force. Finally Chief Joseph asked for 30 days which he was granted. During the 30 day period tension with local settlers boiled over and eventually led to war. The Nez Perce fought bravely and on October 5th of 1877 surrendered with the following speech to his people: "Tell General Howard I know his heart. What he told me before I have it in my heart. I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed; Looking Glass is dead Too-hul-hul-sote is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say he's or no. He who led on the young men is dead. It is cold and we have no blankets; the little children are freezing to death. My people some of them have run away to the hills and have no blankets no food. No one knows where they are perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me my chiefs! I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever." This exquisite piece of folk art measures approximately 18 1/2" x 32" and features a colorful likeness of Chief Joseph painted into the leather. Etched into the leather alongside the portrait are some words identifying Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce and etched into the area of the pelt below the portrait are the words written above: Chief Joseph's surrender speech. Worn as century-old leather would be the material is sturdy and reasonably thick with significant wear around the edges and spots of wear throughout. This is an absolutely beautiful piece of American history specifically relating to the country's westward expansion into the Pacific Northwest.