Chief White Bird, like many of his people, was a
Dreamer, a follower of the teachings of
Smohalla, the Wanapam
shaman and
prophet. Alongside
Chief Joseph, White Bird directed the 1877 withdrawal from eastern
Oregon into
Montana and ahead toward the
Canada–US border during the
Nez Perce War. White Bird's following was second in size to Joseph's but did not exceed 600 men. White Bird and Joseph led the Nez Percé Indians until October 1877, when General
Nelson Miles of the
U.S. Army attacked them at Snake Creek at the
Battle of Bear Paw, south of
Havre, Montana. Following a five-day fight, Joseph and many of the fatigued band acknowledged a cessation of hostilities, surrendered to Miles, and became
prisoners of war. White Bird refused to relinquish and left on the night of October 5. He effectively slipped through enemy lines with over a hundred of the band. == Canada ==