Nez Percé

The Nez Percé or Nez Perce (pronounced {{IPA|/nɛz p?s/}}, or {{IPA|/ne p?r'se/}} as in French) are a tribe of Native Americans who inhabited the Pacific Northwest region of the United States at the time of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Nez Percé is a misnomer given by the interpreter of the Lewis and Clark expedition at the time they first encountered the tribe in 1805. It is from the French, "pierced nose". This is an inaccurate description of the tribe. They did not practice nose piercing or wearing ornaments. The "pierced nose" tribe, though related to the Nez Percé, actually lived on and around the lower Columbia River, and in other areas of the Pacific Northwest.

Related Topics:
Pronounced - French - Tribe - Pacific Northwest - United States - Lewis and Clark Expedition - 1805 - Columbia River

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Nez Percé's name for themselves was Nii-Mii-Puu (pronounced Nee-mee-poo), which means simply "the People". This is perhaps the most common self-designation of aboriginal peoples the world over.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Nez Percé language belongs to the Sahaptian language family.

Related Topics:
Nez Percé language - Sahaptian language family

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~