Final answer:
The question contains a misconception; there is no direct record of Bonneville receiving horses as a gift from the Nez Perce in the information provided. However, horses were integral to the Nez Perce culture and their ability to resist during the Nez Perce War before facing tragic consequences due to conflict with the US Army.
Step-by-step explanation:
It appears that there is a misunderstanding in the question. The role of horses gifted to Bonneville by the Nez Perce is not explicitly described in the provided information. Instead, we learn that horses were of great importance to the culture of many Plains peoples, including the Nez Perce. They were used for hunting bison and enabled tribes to adopt a nomadic lifestyle. Horses were a significant factor in the Nez Perce War, as they gave the tribe a mobility advantage, but the overwhelming numbers of federal troops eventually led to their surrender. The Nez Perce viewed horses as valuable assets that enhanced their way of life and survival. Unfortunately, the harsh outcomes of forced relocation and the slaughtering of their horses by the US Army devastated the Nez Perce people.