In the 1800s European nations still struggled for control of North America. The American Revolution had cost Great Britain half their continental territory and the US planned broad expansion. Settlers thronged west, uprooting First Nations people. The Nimiipuu Nation villages spanned present day Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Their horses attracted Shoshone and Blackfoot Confederacy raids but a deal with the Lewis and Clark Expedition gave them metal and guns in exchange for horses.

When the US created the Washington territory, they made a huge land deal with Plateau nations at a Walla Walla council. The discovery of gold led the government to renegotiate the treaty. Chief Joseph agreed to move to reservations rather than go to battle, but when furious younger warriors attacked settlers, war was declared. The Nimiipuu headed for safety across the Medicine line in Canada, but at Bear Paw, Montana their epic journey came to an end. Chief Joseph surrendered, and they fought to keep their culture alive on reservations. A few who had slipped across the medicine line on foot joined the Blackfoot Nations, or just became Canadian settlers.