He was the son of Tuekákas, or Old Joseph, who had been among those who refused the 1863 treaty and had instructed his son never to sell or surrender the Wallowa Valley.

Other important leaders included:

Ollokot, Joseph’s younger brother and the Wallowa band’s primary warrior leader.

He was widely respected as a fighter and a man of considerable personal courage.

Looking Glass, who led the Alpowai band from the Clearwater River drainage.

He had initially sought to stay out of the 1877 conflict entirely, and the army’s unprovoked attack on his peaceful camp in July accelerated the crisis and forced his band into the flight.

Toohoolhoolzote, the leader of the Pikunan band and a man known for his fierce resistance to the relocation order.