Characters
Who is the narrator of the novel?
Sound of Running Feet
In which U.S. state does much of the novel begin?
Oregon
Who do the Nez Perce believe gave laws to their people?
Great Spirit
Who were the Nez Perce fighting against in the novel?
The U.S. Army
Where did Chief Joseph deliver his famous “Lincoln Hall Speech”?
Washington, D.C.
What relation is Sound of Running Feet to Chief Joseph?
His daughter
Why were the Nez Perce forced to leave their homeland?
White settlers wanted their land
What role do horses play in Nez Perce culture?
They are central for travel, hunting, and identity
What promise from the U.S. government was broken that led to war?
That the Nez Perce could stay in Wallowa Valley
According to Nez Perce laws, what was considered a disgrace?
To tell a lie or break a bargain
Who is Sound of Running Feet’s friend who becomes important in the story?
Swan Necklace
What natural obstacle did the Nez Perce cross during their journey north?
The Bitterroot Mountains
What does Sound of Running Feet learn about leadership from her father?
A leader must think of the whole people, not just himself
How does Sound of Running Feet describe the suffering during the long journey?
Many were hungry, cold, and dying
Chief Joseph compared the confinement of Native people to what image? (2)
A horse tied to a stake or a river running backward
Which U.S. Army general plays a major role in the conflict with the Nez Perce?
General Howard
Toward what country were the Nez Perce trying to escape for safety?
Canada
Why do the Nez Perce refuse to sell their land at first?
The land was sacred and tied to their ancestors
Why did Chief Joseph finally decide to surrender?
His people were starving, freezing, and too many had died
What did Chief Joseph say “good words” could never replace? (3)
His dead people, stolen land, or broken promises
Which character’s death most deeply impacts Sound of Running Feet’s perspective on war and peace?
Swan Necklace
At which final battle were the Nez Perce surrounded and forced to surrender?
Battle of Bear Paw
How do songs and storytelling help preserve the tribe’s history?
They pass down traditions and values through generations
How does the novel portray the unfairness of the U.S. government’s treatment of Native Americans? (3)
Broken promises, forced relocation, unequal laws
What freedoms did Chief Joseph ask for in his speech?
To travel, work, trade, worship, choose teachers, and act freely—like other men