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Quizzes > Books & Literature

Sound of Running Feet quiz: Nez Perce and the Swan Necklace

Quick, free Nez Perce quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Shiv Singh MeenaUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art dark blue background shows swan necklace, historical symbols, quiz title Nez Perce Sound of Running Feet

This Sound of Running Feet quiz helps you recall key events, characters like Chief Joseph, and the swan necklace clue from Nez Perce history. Use it to check what you know before a test or enjoy a quick refresh with short, clear questions. For more practice, try our Native American quiz, explore the Native American spirit animal quiz, or pick a name with the Native American name quiz.

In what year did the Nez Perce flight known as the 'Sound of Running Feet' begin?
1877
1855
1860
1890
The Nez Perce flight began in 1877 after tensions rose over land treaties. This conflict is commonly referred to by historians as the Nez Perce War or the Nez Perce Campaign.
Which U.S. general led the military campaign against the Nez Perce during the 1877 flight?
Winfield Scott
Philip Sheridan
George Armstrong Custer
Oliver O. Howard
General Oliver O. Howard was appointed by President Grant to lead the pursuit of the Nez Perce in 1877. His campaign is detailed in official military records.
What does the phrase 'Sound of Running Feet' primarily refer to in the context of the Nez Perce flight?
A hunting call used for elk
A peace ceremony chant
A traditional Nez Perce war dance
Their rapid flight from U.S. forces
The phrase is a metaphor describing the swift movement of Nez Perce men, women, and horses fleeing U.S. troops. It highlights the tribe's agility and endurance during the 1,170-mile retreat.
In accounts of the flight, a swan necklace worn by a scout symbolized what?
Peace and diplomacy
Trade with settlers
War and conquest
Tribal unity
Swans are often associated with peace and spiritual diplomacy in Nez Perce traditions. The necklace indicated peaceful intentions when scouts met other groups.
Which Nez Perce leader refused to sign the 1863 treaty that ceded much of their ancestral land?
Looking Glass
Chief Joseph
John Ross
White Bird
Chief Joseph (Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt) famously refused the 1863 treaty, leading to division within the tribe and ultimately the 1877 flight. His stance is well documented in U.S. and tribal records.
Which state did the Nez Perce NOT cross during their 1877 retreat?
Oregon
Wyoming
Idaho
Montana
The Nez Perce journeyed from Oregon through Idaho and Montana as they attempted to reach Canada. Wyoming was not part of their historic route.
How did the discovery of the swan necklace help U.S. troops during the campaign?
It marked the next water source
It disclosed their spoken language
It revealed the direction the Nez Perce were heading
It indicated the tribe's size
Troops used the orientation of the swan motif to infer the Nez Perce's intended trail, improving their pursuit strategy. This small artifact provided critical intelligence.
Which bird, besides the swan, was frequently featured in Nez Perce jewelry as a sacred symbol?
Eagle
Osprey
Raven
Hawk
The eagle held immense spiritual significance for the Nez Perce and frequently appeared in adornments and headdresses. It symbolized strength, vision, and a link to the Creator.
During the 1877 campaign, how many major battles did the Nez Perce engage in?
7
9
3
5
Historians classify five major engagements: White Bird Canyon, Clearwater, Big Hole, Canyon Creek, and Bear Paw. These battles mark key points in the Nez Perce's flight.
Prior to the conflict of 1877, which treaty had the Nez Perce honored to define their reservation lands?
1863 Treaty of Lapwai
1846 Oregon Treaty
1877 Nez Perce Treaty
1855 Treaty of Walla Walla
The 1855 Treaty of Walla Walla established the Nez Perce reservation in the Clearwater River region, which the tribe respected until non-Nez Perce settlers pressured the 1863 treaty.
In which Nez Perce oral tradition does the phrase 'Sound of Running Feet' specifically appear?
The account of the Battle of Big Hole
A spring vision quest narrative
A fishing camp legend on the Clearwater River
The Council at Walla Walla recording
Survivor testimonies from the Big Hole engagement include poetic references to hearing 'running feet' through the forest at dawn. This phrase encapsulates the surprise and urgency of that battle.
Archaeological study shows the authentic swan necklaces were primarily crafted from which materials?
Copper and turquoise
Silver and elk tooth
Horsehair and beadwork
Cut shell and sinew
Excavations along the trail recovered swan necklaces featuring hammered silver and elk tooth inlays, a common Nez Perce artisan technique. These items were both decorative and symbolic.
What does the swan symbolize in Nez Perce cosmology as evidenced by the swan necklace?
Seasonal migration
War and aggression
Transformation and peace
Hunting prowess
Nez Perce oral traditions describe swans as spirit beings that guide souls and bring peaceful balance. The necklace served as a reminder of those attributes during times of crisis.
Which other indigenous group's strategic retreat is most comparable to the Nez Perce tactics in 1877?
Apache under Geronimo
Sioux under Sitting Bull
Cherokee Trail of Tears migration
Seminole during the Second Seminole War
Geronimo's Apache band used mobile, knowledge-of-land tactics and evasive retreats reminiscent of Nez Perce strategy. Both groups relied on fast horse travel and surprise maneuvers against pursuing forces.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand the "Sound of Running Feet" Milestone -

    Explain the significance of the "sound of running feet Nez Perce" event and its impact on the tribe's history and narrative.

  2. Identify Key Figures in Nez Perce History -

    Recognize influential leaders like Chief Joseph and their roles during the events described in Thunder Rolling in the Mountains quiz context.

  3. Analyze Swan Necklace Clues -

    Interpret the symbolic importance of the swan necklace in Thunder Rolling in the Mountains and how it serves as a narrative clue.

  4. Recall Major Events -

    List and describe pivotal moments from Nez Perce history covered in the quiz to reinforce memory retention.

  5. Apply Contextual Knowledge -

    Use understanding of the Nez Perce's journey and cultural background to answer quiz questions accurately.

  6. Evaluate Historical Impact -

    Assess the broader cultural and historical significance of the Nez Perce's actions and the legacy of Chief Joseph.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Origins of the "Sound of Running Feet" -

    First documented in Smithsonian archives, the phrase captures the Nez Perce exodus of 1877 as they fled U.S. troops. Think "running feet" as a heartbeat of resistance - imagine your own feet pounding in rhythm to history's urgent march.

  2. Historical Context in 1877 -

    According to National Park Service research, the Nez Perce's flight spanned over 1,170 miles across Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. Use the mnemonic "O-I-W-M" (Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana) to recall their remarkable route.

  3. Swan Necklace Clue in Thunder Rolling in the Mountains -

    University of Washington studies highlight the swan necklace as a cultural symbol of peace and identity. Remember "Swan = Serenity" to link this piece of jewelry to its role in forging alliances.

  4. Chief Joseph's Leadership -

    Journals from the University of Idaho emphasize Chief Joseph's diplomatic skill, particularly in his "I will fight no more forever" surrender speech. Picture him standing tall on the battlefield - this image cements his status as a statesman and strategist.

  5. Quiz Strategy: Key Events Timeline -

    Craft a simple timeline - from Council Springs meeting (June 1877) to Bear Paw Mountains surrender (October 1877) - to anchor each quiz question. Visual learners can draw a horizontal line marking these five milestones for quick review.

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