How They Got Their Food and What They Ate
During the Spring and Summer months the Nez Perce lived in the areas around the Clearwater, Snake and Salmon rivers, in Idaho and Oregon, where they caught salmon and dried it for winter. They also dug the roots found in the plains west of the Rocky Mountains that were edible, berries and even moss. These are the main source of food during the summer months.
As the winter got closer, many of the Indians in the villages, especially men and boys, would prepare to make the long trip to the hunting grounds in Montana for the buffalo, deer and any wild game they can find. Dried meat was a staple food during the winter when roots, berries and mosses were not to be found under the snow. The buffalo hides were used for clothing while every part of the animal was either eaten or used in some other way, except the bones.
These were the main foods of the Nez Perce until missionaries came around 1836 and began to teach them agriculture to help them gain food more easily. The Indians picked it up quickly and continued their farming even after many of the missionaries had left the area. The fields often had various foods growing in them such as melons, corn, wheat, potatoes, pumpkins and more.
As the winter got closer, many of the Indians in the villages, especially men and boys, would prepare to make the long trip to the hunting grounds in Montana for the buffalo, deer and any wild game they can find. Dried meat was a staple food during the winter when roots, berries and mosses were not to be found under the snow. The buffalo hides were used for clothing while every part of the animal was either eaten or used in some other way, except the bones.
These were the main foods of the Nez Perce until missionaries came around 1836 and began to teach them agriculture to help them gain food more easily. The Indians picked it up quickly and continued their farming even after many of the missionaries had left the area. The fields often had various foods growing in them such as melons, corn, wheat, potatoes, pumpkins and more.
