Ollokot, described as tall, graceful, intelligent, fun-loving and daring, was a hunter and warrior but also experienced in diplomacy, accompanying his father and older brother to treaty negotiations between the U.S. and Nez Perce in 1855 and 1863.

Howard demanded that Joseph's and Ollokot's people move from their traditional lands in the Wallowa Valley of Oregon to a reservation established for them in Idaho.

The Nez Perce won victories, or escaped from larger U.S. army forces, in battles at Cottonwood, Clearwater, Big Hole, and Canyon Creek.

Ollokot and 60 young men surrounded and pinned down a larger number of soldiers at the Battle of the Big Hole, permitting the Nez Perce to escape.

[5] However, the Nez Perce were surrounded in the Bear Paw Mountains of Montana by hundreds of U.S. soldiers, only 40 miles (65 km) from their objective, a safehaven in Canada.