The Bright Tree tribe represented a group of Ewoks originating from Bright Tree Village, a settlement nestled on the forest moon known as Endor. Chief Chirpa had been the leader of this tribe for a period of forty-two seasons up to the time of the Battle of Endor. Following the Rebel Alliance's triumph over the Galactic Empire on Endor, Chirpa was succeeded in his role by his daughter, Kneesaa.
Chief Buzza, Chirpa's father, held leadership over the Bright Tree Tribe before Chief Chirpa. By 4 ABY, Chirpa's reign had lasted forty-two seasons. Aside from the Council of Elders, influential figures within the village at this point included Logray, the shaman, alongside Asha Fahn and Teebo, Chirpa's two finest hunters. Simultaneously, in the broader galaxy, the Alliance to Restore the Republic was engaged in war with the Galactic Empire, which had occupied Endor to construct the DS-2 Death Star II Mobile Battle Station.
On one particular day, Wicket W. Warrick, the Bright Tree scout, came across an unconscious female human within the forest. This woman was in fact Princess Leia Organa, a key member of the Alliance. Organa had arrived on Endor with a Rebel strike team tasked with disabling a deflector shield generator protecting the Empire's second Death Star, a planet-killing battle station. Warrick quickly developed a connection with the stranger and escorted her to the safety of his village.
Elsewhere, tribe hunters captured two humans, a Wookiee, and a pair of droids caught in a trap. The Ewoks were unaware that their captives were Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO, and R2-D2, the remaining members of Princess Leia's team. The hunters, upon seeing C-3PO, a protocol droid covered in shiny golden plating, believed him to be a god and began to worship him.
The captured Rebels were taken to Bright Tree Village. Initially, Logray, the shaman, determined that Solo, Skywalker, Chewbacca, and R2-D2 would be sacrificed as the main course for a feast honoring C-3PO. Despite Leia Organa's efforts and C-3PO's attempts to free his comrades, the Ewoks remained firm. Only when the so-called golden god displayed his magic did they change their minds. In reality, it was Skywalker, a Jedi Knight, who employed the Force to elevate C-3PO, compelling the Ewoks to release the Rebels.
That night, the Bright Tree villagers convened in Teebo's hut, where they learned about the Empire's threat to the galaxy through C-3PO's account of the Rebel heroes' story. Inspired by the droid's narrative, Chief Chirpa expressed his desire to aid the Rebels. However, Logray, in his role as shaman, argued that the Ewoks should not interfere in matters beyond their scope. With the support of Teebo and Asha Fahn, Chirpa successfully overruled Logray and welcomed the Rebels as honorary members of the tribe.
Upon understanding that their new companions were heroes committed to destroying the cold metal moon looming above their forest, the Bright Tree villagers pledged their assistance. The Ewoks guided the Rebels to the bunker housing the shield generator, which needed to be destroyed before any assault on the Death Star could begin. They also revealed the existence of a hidden entrance to the bunker. Paploo then absconded with an Imperial speeder bike, leading scout troopers on a chase and creating a distraction.
Despite the Rebels' successful entry into the bunker, they were immediately apprehended by Imperials who had anticipated their attack. Although the Alliance's plan seemed to have failed, the Bright Tree warriors, along with members of other tribes answering their call to arms, arrived just in time. Using their primitive weapons, they defeated the stormtroopers and scout walkers of the Empire. While the tribe suffered casualties, their contribution was instrumental in the Rebels' eventual deactivation of the deflector shield, which ultimately led to the Death Star's destruction in the space above.