Ellis or Ellice (c. 1810–March 1848) was a

Nez Perce The Nez Percé (; autonym in Nez Perce language: , meaning "we, the people") are an Indigenous people of the Plateau who are presumed to have lived on the Columbia River Plateau in the Pacific Northwest region for at least 11,500 years.Ames, K ...

leader. His grandfather was the respected leader Hohots Ilppilp (also known as Red Grizzly Bear), who met with

Lewis and Clark Lewis may refer to: Names * Lewis (given name), including a list of people with the given name * Lewis (surname), including a list of people with the surname Music * Lewis (musician), Canadian singer * " Lewis (Mistreated)", a song by Radiohe ...

. As a teenager, Ellis went to the

Red River Colony The Red River Colony (or Selkirk Settlement), also known as Assinboia, was a colonization project set up in 1811 by Thomas Douglas, 5th Earl of Selkirk, on of land in British North America. This land was granted to Douglas by the Hudson's Ba ...

where he learnt to read, write and speak English from Christian tutors. He lived in the area of

Kamiah, Idaho Kamiah ( ) is a city in Lewis and Idaho counties in the U.S. state of Idaho. The largest city in Lewis County, it extends only a small distance into Idaho County, south of Lawyer Creek. The population was 1,295 at the 2010 census, up from 1, ...

where he was involved with farming and ranching. He was the first person to be elected leader of the Nez Perce, with help from

Elijah White Dr. Elijah White (1806–1879) was a missionary and agent for the United States government in Oregon Country during the mid-19th century. A trained physician from New York State, he first traveled to Oregon as part of the Methodist Mission in t ...

, the U. S. Indian agent for Oregon Country. Ellis was not respected by his people, however, as he had never won honours in hunting or war, and became quickly conceited upon his election. In March 1848, Nez Perce leaders received news that Ellis and sixty members of his group had died, supposedly of measles. News of Ellis' death caused contention between his followers and the whites. Upon his death, a young man called Richard was appointed the new leader of the Nez Perce.Josephy, p. 277

References

{{Authority control 1810 births 1848 deaths Nez Perce people Native American leaders People from Kamiah, Idaho