Participants  Covered in the Book

Ka-mi-akin (Chief of the Yakimas): The main subject of the book. His life and influence span the entire core narrative, from his rise as a leader through the treaty councils, the Yakima War, and his eventual exile. (Appears on pages 12, 14, 16, 17, 20, 32-56, 58-60, 63-64, 67-69, 71-72, 75, 78, 80-82, 87-88, 91-92, 96-98, 103, 116, 118-123, 251, 266, 282)

Ow-hi (Chief of the Umatillas, brother-in-law of Ka-mi-akin): A key ally and relative of Ka-mi-akin, involved in the war and ultimately killed after surrendering. (Appears on pages 16-18, 31, 34, 40-43, 45, 51-53, 58-59, 69-72, 75, 77-78, 80-85, 96-103, 109, 116-119, 126, 251, 281, 354, 389, 391)

Qual-chan (Son of Ow-hi): A renowned warrior who played a significant role in the fighting. He was hanged without trial by Colonel Wright. (Appears on pages 16-17, 42, 58-63, 67-71, 77-78, 80, 82-85, 87, 100, 103, 116-119, 126, 251, 354, 391)

Lo-kout, (son of Ow-hi) a proud warrior, fought in many battles, from the defeat of Major Haller at Toppenish, Seattle, Spokane, and the Battle of Little Big Horn where Custer was killed95. He proudly displays the scars from seven bullet wounds and a crushed skull he received fighting Governor Stevens' forces at Walla Walla96. Lo-kout also confirms that he was "Loolowcan," the guide for Theodore Winthrop, whom he despised for treating him like a dog97. (Appears on pages 50, 61, 79, 80, 84, 85, 86, 109, 116, 117, 118, 125, 126) Speach, History link

Skloom (Brother of Ka-mi-akin): A war chief who fought alongside his brother. (Appears on pages 17, 33, 42, 51, 67-68, 71, 73, 88, 98, 103, 121, 207, 391)

Moses (Sulk-talth-scosum): Son of a chief and a major leader in the Columbia Basin after the wars. His story represents the transition to the reservation era. (Appears on pages 17-19, 40, 42, 58, 60, 68, 71, 80-83, 85, 103, 105, 110, 116-117, 119, 161-163, 213, 247, 304, 307, 309-312, 314-315, 334-338, 342, 389)

Leschi was a chief of the Nisqually Indian Tribe in southern Puget Sound, Washington, who fought in the Yakima War of 1855-1858. (Appears on pages 22,39,55,56,58,79)

Looking Glass War chief of the Nez Perce, He was killed in Montana during the famous 1877 Nez Perce retreat led by Chief Joseph. (Appears on pages 16, 20, 21, 23, 28, 32, 33, 38, 39, 40)

Smo-hal-la (The "Dreamer" Prophet): A spiritual leader whose teachings influenced many tribes and were often in opposition to the treaties and reservation life. (Appears on pages 19, 151, 203, 243, 320, 338, 347-351, 388, 

Governor Isaac I. Stevens (Washington Territory): The main driver of the treaties. (p. 16, 17, 39-55) He was killed at the Battle of Chantilly in the Civil War 1862.

General Joel Palmer (Oregon Territory): Stevens' counterpart. (p. 19, 48-53)

Lawyer (Nez Perce Chief): Advocated for the treaty and was a key ally of the Americans. (p. 16, 18, 43-54)  Marcus Whitman, an early missionary, hired Lawyer to live at his mission and teach him the Salish and Nez Perce languages. Whitman provided food and clothing to Lawyer’s family in return. It was here that Lawyer, once a buffalo hunter, began to adapt to the culture and religion of the white man. Lawyer emerged as a leader of the Nez Perce following the Whitman tragedy on November 29, 1847. He traveled to Salem to meet Joseph Lane, Governor of the Oregon Territory, and requested aid in the capture of the Whitmans' murderers.

Pe-peu-mox-mox (Walla Walla Chief): A powerful and skeptical chief who was later killed during the war. (p. 19, 20, 34, 41-56)

A. J. Bolon (Indian Agent): His murder following the council was a primary trigger for the war. (p. 16, 45, 58, 63)

Major Granville O. Haller: Led the first, unsuccessful expedition into the Yakima Valley. (p. 16, 64-72)

Major Gabriel Rains: Led a subsequent, larger force. (p. 16, 64-73)

Col. Edward J. Steptoe: His command was defeated near modern-day Rosalia, prompting Wright's campaign. (p. 16, 82-93)

Col. George Wright: Led the final, decisive campaign in 1858, known for his harsh methods. (p. 16, 75, 80-84, 91-103)

Lieut. Philip Sheridan: A young officer at the time, later a famous Civil War general. (p. 71, 254)