“On the Trail”
The Quarterly Newsletter of the Nez Perce Trail Foundation
•
© NPTF Photo
Official Partner of the Nez Perce National Historic Trail
•
‘en’im’ (Winter) 2015
President’s Message
Dear fellow Nez Perce Trail Foundation members,
This time of year our schedules seem to become more hectic with every passing day. The holiday season can be
nerve racking and stressful and it's not until January 2nd do we seem to be able to take a breath. The same holds
true for the Nez Perce Trail Foundation. With the end of the year fast approaching we are fortunate that the 2016
Nez Perce National Historic Trail Desk Planners have been shipped and are ready for distribution. You may be aware
that the NPTF Board of Directors has decided to change our membership renewal system. We will now renew all
current memberships on a calendar basis, with all renewals requested to be effective for January through December.
This procedure will be so much easier for our membership chairman to control. Very soon you should receive your
2016 Desk Planner along with the membership renewal notice for 2016. Your support is so very critical to the
Jim Zimmerman,
President NPTF
mission of the Foundation. The good news is, that after a difficult period of time we are now in the black and our
financial outlook is very promising.
This past year we have seen the passing of several notable Nez Perce family members and individuals who have meant so much to the Nez Perce
Trail Foundation and to the Nez Perce Nation. As always, we were saddened by the passing of Ruth Wapato, who was so dedicated to the Trail.
We were blessed with her knowledge of the events of 1877 that she so willingly shared with all of us. When we lost Horace Axtell, we lost perhaps the most influential and recognizable Nez Perce elder of our time. As a WWII veteran, leader of the seven drum religion, Tribal Historian,
and a preservationist of the Nez Perce language, Horace represented the spirit of the Nez Perce tribe. What he accomplished could be a book
unto itself. We will miss both Ruth and Horace greatly. Frank Blackeagle and the others that have passed this year have also been an important
part of the Nez Perce legacy, and their contributions will be greatly missed as well.
The Nez Perce Trail Foundation continues to chip away at our reorganization efforts and progress is being made. Paul Wapato was gracious
enough to formalize an outline of suggested updates to our current Foundation By-Laws. Paul took a great deal of time to research the By-Laws
of similar Trail Associations and came up with solid, meaningful recommendations. Hopefully those recommendations will be approved in the
very near future.
The Foundation still has several Board positions that are open and need to be filled with individuals that have a love for the Nez Perce National
Historic Trail and a desire to contribute to the Preservation, Protection, and Commemoration of the Trail. Please feel free to contact our Secretary
if you have any interest to become part of our administrative board.
As the year end fast approaches, I would like to thank each and every one of you for your past interest and support. The Foundation could not
have made it without you. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.
Sincerely,
Jim Zimmerman
President / Partnerships
Dick Seymour
Vice President / Historic Trails
Karen Heagen
Secretary / Research
NEWS and FACES from the NPNHT
Our work celebrates the rich traditions and
histories of the Flight of 1877. Our staff is
dedicated to increasing our understanding of the past events and future life of the
young people who will be our next leaders.
We are mandated to preserve, display, and
embody every facet of the NPNHT. Friends
Sandi McFarland,
Roger Peterson
of the NPNHT treasure and incorporate their
NPNHT-FS
NPNHT-FS
Administrator
Public Affairs
personal affection for this trail into active
participation in the daily NPNHT work.
• NPNHT Challenge Cost Share Projects & Program
• NPNHT Work Projects clear miles of Nez Perce Trail tred
• Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Tear Sheet Maps
• NPNHT 2016 Desk Planner is now available and being shipped.
• Completed AUTO TOUR Routes to Bear Paw are now available
For more information on these topics, contact www.fs.usda.gov/npnht
Tricia Taylor
Treasurer / Finance
Matt Nowak
Membership / Projects
NPTF Memberships
renew on *January 1st, 2016
*Except for those who joined or renewed after October 1, 2015
Join or Renew TODAY!
Please send your membership dues or renewals to:
NPTF • 1007 North 2nd Street • Lansing, Kansas 66043
Attention: Matt Nowak
Visit our website for details at www.nezpercetrail.net
FOLLOWING the FOOTSTEPS
-- with Hetty Dutra Part 4
Weis Rockshelter to Grangeville, Idaho
June 18 - June 29, 2014
NPTF Member Hetty Dutra
riding her Quarter horse
“Shug” and Appaloosa
“Cheetah” while on their
epic journey over the Nez
Perce Trail in the summer
of 2014.
©2014 Photo by Karen Heagen, NPTF
We continue with Part 4 of Hetty’s journey on the Nez Perce Trail, starting with the Nez Perce
ancient landmark of Weis Rockshelter near the Salmon River. All photos © Hetty Dutra
June 18, Weis Rockshelter -- “My photos cannot capture the scale of the landscape on Graves
Creek Road: The height of the canyon walls, the
depth of the canyons, or the steepness.
Ancestors of the Nez Perce used this rock shelter
more than 8,000 years ago. It is not a cave, but
a small niche in a wall of basalt. The shelter was
continuously
inhabited until
about 600 years
ago. It is close to
the Salmon River,
making it an ideal
location because
of nearby major
food sources and
transportation
routes.”
Weis Rockshelter
June 22, Tolo Lake --The pictures I took of Tolo
Lake from the other side of Lake Road just didn't
show it off. These show it from the north. In
1994 it had been drained, to excavate a mammoth skeleton. It looked like a big dark mud
puddle back then. People even boat on it today,
as you can see. The lake covers about 35 acres
and is the largest natural water body on the
Camas Prairie. Tolo Lake is an ancient rendezvous site the Nez Perce used for gathering
camas root and for meeting with neighboring
bands. The Nez Perce called the lake “Tepahlewam” or “Split Rocks.” Tolo Lake, which dates
back to the last ice age, was almost empty
twenty years ago. Remains of a Pleistocene
mammoth and a prehistoric bison were
excavated from the lake that year.”
* Editor’s Note: Tolo Lake was named after Yellow
Bull’s sister “Tolo’”, who became famous for warning
the white settlers that the Nez Perce were on the war
path.
June 23 , Whitebird -- “Riding up through the
White Bird Battlefield, I looked down towards
where the main Nez Perce camp would have
been, where they would have been packing up
to flee across the Salmon River. I spent a night
in a barn near the summit of White Bird Hill just
off old Highway 95, where the horses had abundant feed. Yes, it did rain most of the day.
June 26, Top of White Bird Hill -“Yesterday was very cloudy, but no
showers, then the skies opened and it
rained all night. Not wanting to put my
tent up in the rain, I put my sleeping bag
on the "dressing room" floor. Pretty comfortable. The rain persisted, so I fed my
darling ponies. An hour or two later, the
rain stopped, so I took them carrots, cleaned their stalls (bigger than my 12 x12),
and filled their water. It's a good day to
be in, as the sky is still dark and threatening. I didn't add shavings as the roof is a
little leaky, and they only get a small toss
to keep the floor dry. Shug believes he has
to lie down to sleep, plus he walks around
stirring it up, so he's a little dirty.
Cheetah is the opposite, choosing a place
to rest in the deepest shavings and won’t
walk around and stir things up - Mr. Neat.
Although I'm so glad John is coming soon,
there's a tad of sadness. The world has
gotten faster and less personal. Twenty
years ago people were less wary of
strangers. But so many people have been
kind and helpful. Many more make a point
of not making eye contact. Makes you
wonder what we would do if someone
asked to spend the night at my place.
Would it make a difference if it was an old,
dirty woman looking done-in, or a young,
clean, energetic young woman? How
would a man fare? There are many cyclists
and motorcyclists on the roads going long
distances, but they stay at motels.
Anyway, having backup will save me, and
make it possible to finish, so I'm very
grateful to my friend John for taking on
the task of driving ahead with my supplies
horse trailer, and feed.”
June 28, Joseph Plains -“On the Joseph Plains. John and I ran
errands and got supplies in the morning,
then picked up Shug and Cheetah. John
drove down Graves Creek Road and up,
up, up the extremely dangerous grade.
Continued on Page 3
The NPTF is looking for a few
dedicated individuals that
wish to volunteer their skills
a few hours per month in:
Beautiful view
of Tolo Lake
near Grangeville,
Idaho
Marketing • Merchandising • Grant Writing
Overlooking the White Bird Battlefield. This battle
marked the beginning of the Nez Perce War of 1877.
Please contact
[email protected]
or 949-280-2894
‘Iskitpe--Page 2
Hetty Dutra
Continued from Page 2
It's steep, it's narrow, no guard rail, and
if you went off you could end up 2,000
feet down! Still, the canyon and rim
rocks, the trees and plains topped by
clouds are beautiful.
We are staying and
overnighting at the
Poxleitners on
Graves Creek - at the
top. Shug and Cheetah are playing in
the corral and the
sky is ablaze with
Scenic road on the
golden clouds.”
Joseph Plains
June 29, Grangeville -- “Got off at 7:30
this morning riding Shug and ponying
Cheetah. Rode up Graves Creek Road
and turned onto Twin House. It was
warm enough that I wore a cotton shirt,
a lightweight jacket, and the security
vest in blaze orange. Although it was
cloudy, I didn't take my raincoat. At one
point, I realized I hadn't been counting
streets. Worrying, I left John a message.
I called a little later and he picked up.
He'd already been putting trail markers
out! Kept me from getting lost. John
was waiting for me at Old Hwy. 7/126.
I saw him from a distance, but it seemed
like it took an eternity to get there. Shug
picked up my enthusiasm, and upped
the pace. Shug, Cheetah and I were all
thirsty, and ready for a break! John had
already had lunch things out. We studied the maps and realized it would not
be a long day tomorrow, because, for
the safety of my horses, I cannot ride
down the grade into Stites. We decided
to ask the last house on Zumwalt if we
could stay there. It had corrals with
grass everywhere, which the horses
would love. There was plenty of room
for the rig, well off the road, and it was
beautifully neat and tidy. They said yes,
so here we are camped. Happy horses,
my tent up, and I cleaned up a bit and
put on clean clothes. We're invited to
a chicken soup, salad, and rhubarb pie
dinner too. Joe & Mary Flury are super
nice, and their place is special, so we'll
enjoy the dinner and conversation.
Time to feed Cheetah & Shug.”
Until later, Hetty
Mary & Joe Flury in
the shade on the
green lawn in front
of their house in
Grangeville, ID.
NEZ PERCE YOUTH
Former Lapwai High School Wildcat wins Scholarship
Winners of the 2015 Young Native’s Essay Contest were announced
last summer in July. Mykel Johnson, Nez Perce, from Lapwai, Idaho
was one of the five first place winners. Open to high school students
from all Native American 9th-12th graders, the essay theme this year
was “Select an image from your individual tribe and write about how
it represents your people.”
Mykel chose the Nez Perce Trail. She was awarded a $2,500. scholarship, sponsored by the National Indian Education Association, the
National Museum of the American Indian, and the Holland and
Knight Law Firm.
As one of the winners, Mykel represented the Nez Perce Tribe and
journeyed to Washington, D.C. During the “Scholars Week,” Mykel
enjoyed sightseeing, visited the National Museum of the American
Ken Grover, NMAI Director
Indian, met state representatives, networked with professionals
and essay winner
that are Native American, and learned about alot of opportunites for
Mykel Johnson, Nez Perce
future internships. Mykel is now currently a student at Washington State
University at Pullman, WA. Congratulations Mykel! The Nez Perce Trail Foundation is proud of you!
“The trail of the Nez Perce War of 1877 represents the plight of my family’s band to Canada in 1877. In an
attempt to escape the United States Army, the Wallowa band traveled 1,170 miles through Oregon, Idaho,
Montana, and Wyoming (Walker). They crossed the Rocky and Bitterroot Mountain ranges facing over seven
battles in four months. The map that hangs in the Nez Perce Historical Museum in Spaulding, Idaho is simple
and well drawn. This image serves as a representation of the journey that changed the lives of my people. The
map shows visitors the path and distance my ancestors embarked on in pursuit of freedom. However, the overall message I interpret touches places of my heart too deep to fully understand. This image stands as reminder
of the suffering and hardships placed on the backs of my people. This image now stands as a reminder of the
promise and hope of our future. Due to the discovery of gold surrounding Pierce, Idaho, the Nez Perce Tribe
faced many injustices. The Treaty established by Isaac I. Stevens in 1855 was disregarded resulting in additional
land loss for the Nez Perce. Although not all tribal leaders had signed the Treaty of 1863, the United States
ordered the removal of my people, the Wallowa band, from our original homelands at the mouth of the Lostine
and Wallowa Rivers to the Nez Perce Indian Reservation in Fort Lapwai, Idaho (National). On June 12th, 1877
Nez Perce warriors staged a war parade through camp at Tolo Lake. With only two days left of liberty, the men
of the tribe had recalled all of the previous wrongs and deceit fed to them. The young men felt hurt and humiliated by the generations of persecution and their self-restraint hung by a thread. Hostilities resulted between
white settlers and the Nez Perce. Word spread that an Indian war in the West had started. General Howard of
the US military pursued the Nez Perce with two companies of Calvary. As a result, the battle of Whitebird had
occurred, in which 33 U.S. soldiers were killed. It was proclaimed as “Chief Joseph’s War” (Josephy 499). The Nez
Perce warriors scouted the back trail and knew Howard’s position. They nicknamed him “Day After Tomorrow”
in reference to location (Johnson). In order to elude the army, the Nez Perce were forced to leave behind many
possessions. The journey consisted of men, women, children, the elderly, and sick. They traveled with a herd of
over 2500 horses. With low supplies and bad conditions, the journey would take many lives (Josephy 520).
The Nez Perce War Trail is more than a route taken. There are many burial sites and trauma that occurred on the
journey to Canada. This trail serves as a reminder to the Nez Perce of the epic struggle to survive spiritually,
culturally, and physically. The Nez Perce chose to take the Nez Perce Buffalo Trail (now known as the Lolo Trail)
to escape the war in Idaho. Many feeble elders would stay behind due to the severity of the path chosen
(Walker). Chief Looking Glass implored the warriors to stop at Big Hole, also known as “Icuumcemeelexpe” (Place
of the Ground Squirrels). The warriors wanted to scout the back trail but Looking Glass felt after trading with
local settlers, the war was left in Idaho (Josephy 563). Looking Glass directed the men to make camp and rest
the people. A battle broke out at early dawn on August eighth. A nearly blind Nez Perce elder had gone to find
his horses and was shot by soldiers. This began the battle of Big Hole. General Gibbon ordered his men to shoot
low into the tipis. Soldiers spared no lives and shot babies, mothers and elders unable to defend themselves.
At the end of this battle, ninety Nez Perce were killed (Johnson). The Nez Perce would travel the Lemhi Trail in
Idaho and eventually end up seeking refuge among the Crow. However, when denied help, the bands were
compelled to continue towards Canada. Looking Glass lost his leadership due to the losses at Big Hole and
Lean Elk assumed leadership and led the remaining Nez Perce towards Canada (Johnson). They headed north
to Canada and stopped at the Bearpaw Mountains. Nearly 40 miles from the border of Canada, the Nez Perce
were starving, cold, and ill. Chief Looking Glass insisted that they stop. With no shelter and no food, many dug
into the creek bank for warmth and safety. During the attack from the US Army led by Howard, cannons were
fired and leaders of the bands were killed. Ollikot, who was the war chief, younger brother to Chief Joseph and
Continued on Page 4
3
Mykel Johnson Essay
Continued from Page 3
my great-great-great-grandfather, was killed. The result of this battle was the
surrender of Chief Joseph who offered up the rifle in order to save the rest of
the bands. The suffering was said to be heard in Joseph’s voice as he spoke
his historic speech. Written by Major Wood and translated by Ad Chapman,
Joseph’s speech is remembered, studied, and sacred to my people. Chief
Joseph’s speech would mark the end of the Nez Perce War Trail (Josephy 609).
This Nez Perce War Trail image is stamped boldly on my heart and implanted
in my mind because I am aware of the history behind the Trail. Over 1,170
miles represent the endurance and heart my people possess. The trail has
taken many lives, history, and potential of my people. The history of this trail
has made me the person that I am today. This image represents a journey for
freedom that my people have always known. My father always says, “Never
forget your past, never forget your people, and never forget where you come
from.” This image of the Nez Perce Trail however, gives me hope. In today’s
world and reality, we are in a sense still fighting a war on the Nez Perce
Reservation. We, in a sense, are still traveling on our trail in pursuit of understanding and compassion from others who would take a moment to hear us.
This image shows me that no matter the length of the journey, my people
will survive. The Nez Perce Tribe ended the physical trail over 138 years ago
with bowed heads and heavy hearts. However, my generation is awakening
and learning to stand up and tell a story because others are willing to listen.
Despite the hardships, we still love fiercely and care for one another. Despite
the burial sites spread over 1,170 miles we continue to live. Despite the pain
inflicted, we help heal one another’s wounds and continue on. Despite the
lack of understanding and pain inflicted on the Nez Perce people, we are still
here. A trail that is never ending; we still survive.”
© 2015 Mykel Johnson
FEATURED MEMBER
KATEE HEAGEN
from
Los Angeles , California
Katee joined the NPTF in 2014. She lives
in Los Angeles, Ca. and travels extensively
throughout the U.S. and the world. Her love
of the outdoors, nature, history, and horses
©2015 Katee Laine Photography
led her to joining the NPTF. Katee attends
the annual Tamkaliks Celebration and has participated in the NPTF
Summer Educational Trail Tour. She has traveled on excursions to
more isolated portions of the Trail as well. Katee is the head aerial
cinematographer/camera operator for Wild Rabbit Productions,
a drone filming company specializing in commercials, sporting events,
movies, and documentaries. She is also a fashion photographer for a
major international clothing company.
Well done Katee and qe’ciye’w’yew (Thank you!)
If you would like to be our Featured Member, or know someone who would
like to be, please submit a name, photo, short bio., and why the Nez Perce
Trail is of interest to you (or them.) Please send to [email protected]
WELCOME to the NPTF
Ellie Troutman (Life Member) • Kentucky
Elaine Husted • Oregon
NPTF Annual Scholarships
Applications for the 2016 Awards
are now being accepted!
Scholarship Award Winners
will be announced
at the
NPTF PHOTO • July 2016
Tamkaliks Celebration • Wallowa,©2015
Oregon
For more information and to obtain a scholarship application,
please contact Duane Heglie, NPTF at:
[email protected]
Gear Up for our Annual 2016
Summer Educational Trail Tour
By POPULAR demand, we will journey
from Yellowstone to Bear Paw this year!
Details and itinerary to come soon.
We expect a sellout©2015
of NPTF
spaces,
so
PHOTO
make your reservations early,
starting March 1, 2016
NPTF DONATIONS & GIFTS
Oldham County Historical Society • Kentucky
St. Mel’s Parish, 3rd Grade Class • California
CONTRIBUTIONS
All members are encouraged to submit materials that relate to the
Nez Perce Trail for consideration of inclusion in our quarterly
publication of ‘Iskitpe newsletter or monthly Hinme•t update.
Please submit to: [email protected]
or mail to: NPTF, P.O. Box 5024, Bend, Oregon 97708
The Wallowa Land Trust
Protecting the rural nature of the Wallowa Country by
working cooperatively with private landowners, Indian
tribes, local communities and governmental entities to
conserve land. For more information, please contact
P.O. Box 516, Enterprise, Oregon 97828 • 541-426-2042 • www.wallowalandtrust.org
THE LONGHOUSE Dream
A Place to Gather.
Donate today!
WALLOWA BAND NEZ PERCE TRAIL INTERPRETIVE CENTER
P.O. Box 15 • 209 East 2nd Street • Wallowa, Oregon 97885
541-886-3101 • www.wallowanezperce.org
[email protected] • 541-886-3101
4
MEETINGS . . .
NPTF - USFS Board of Directors Meeting
Missoula, Montana
Make 2016
Your Breast Cancer
Awareness “Year.”
Make an appointment.
Nez Perce Trail Foundation
representatives meet and
confer with the U.S.D.A -F.S.
administrators in October
to discuss future plans with
the Foundation and their
partnership with the NPNHT.
Shown left to right:
Paul Wapato, NPTF B.O.D.,
Jim Zimmerman, NPTF Pres.,
and George Bain, U.S.D.A.-FS
Director of Recreation, Lands,
Minerals, Heritage, and
Wilderness.
©2015 Karen Heagen, NPTF
On a crisp, fall Montana day, members of the Nez Perce Trail Foundation’s Executive Committee and
Board of Directors met with members of the U.S.D.A.-Forest Service to discuss progress, plans, and
projects with regards to the Nez Perce National Historic Trail. Present were George Bain, U.S.D.A.-FS
Director of Recreation, Lands, Minerals, Heritage, and Wilderness; Sandi McFarland, U.S.D.A.-FS
NPNHT Administrator; and Teri Johnson, U.S.F.S. Grants Management. Also present for the NPTF
were Jim Zimmerman, Pres.; Paul Wapato, B.O.D., Margaret and Charlie Moses, Jr., B.O.D., Karen
Heagen, Secretary; Carolynn Merrel; Bernice Ellenwood, Nez Perce tribal member; Matt Nowak,
NPTF Membership, via conference call; Dick Seymour, NPTF Vice Pres., via conference call; and Tricia
Taylor, NPTF Treasurer, via conference call. Major issues covered were the outdated NPTF By Laws,
Dutra
Photo
future projects such as Ft. Leavenworth, NPNHT production of the Desk Planner, Life Hetty
Time
MemberHetty Dutra
ship recognitions, Hike-the-Hill, PNTS Annual Conference, Historical Trails Workshop, and
thePh
to
Federal Inter-Agency Council attendance in 2016. The NPNHT reported progress regarding
signage
inventory, signage identification, Fall poster production, and future projects enabling visitor access
to the Trail. The Auto Route revisions will begin in Oregon, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.
Completion of the Auto Route guide to Bear Paw is now complete. Also discussed was the Land
and Water Conservation Fund that was voted down by the Republican Party members of Congress.
This result will highly affect all programs related to our public lands and their usage.
After the meeting concluded, several members of the NPTF visited the historical site of Ft. Missoula.
Located only a few miles Northwest of downtown Missoula, some of the original buildings
still stand. The parade grounds and center
©2014 KL HEAGEN PHOTO
gazebo are evident as you drive through the
property. As you recall, Ft. Missoula was where
the U.S. Army troops were quickly dispatched
to stop the Nez Perce on the lower Lolo Trail.
Their makeshift fortress was called “Fort Fizzle.”
Unable to prevent their advance, most of the
troops under Lt. Rawn and his 100 volunteers
returned to Ft. Missoula without incident.
©2015 Karen Heagen, NPTF
Above: The beautiful parade grounds of old
Ft. Missoula, located in the Bitterroot Valley
of Montana.
Right: Part of the original barracks built by
U.S. Army troops stationed at Ft. Missoula
during the Nez Perce War of 1877.
Hetty Dutra Photo
©2015 Karen Heagen, NPTF
Make it part of your
New Year’s resolution.
Q
Qe’ciye’w’yew
©2014 KL HEAGEN PHOTO
A Brief MESSAGE FROM YOUR
SECRETARY
It seems like the holiday season comes
upon us faster each year. And during each
year, life becomes busier for most of us at
the Foundation. None of us are immune
from life changes, loss, and health issues.
Such is life; such is a spirit’s perseverance.
Jim Zimmerman, current NPTF president,
steadily steers us out of financial issues.
Tricia Taylor handles our precious Treasury.
Duane Heglie mentors our annual Trail
Hetty Dutra Photo
Trip groups. Matt Nowak maintains
our
great membership. Paul Wapato is our
business mind, while Dick Seymour keeps
KL HEAGEN
PHOTO
us informed of Trail matters.©2014
Charlie
and
Margaret Moses guide us with their
wisdom. We are rejuvenated, revitalized,
and inspired to loyaly continue our work
with the Foundation and it’s mission.
Onward we go, but we still need more of
those that will volunteer their skills for us.
Now the holidays are upon us, further
complicating our lives with the other
good things in life. New membership,
newsletters, corresponding, marketing,
and ongoing public relations duties have
become my sugar plums while I sleep. I’m
in the habit of placing a yellow legal pad
near my bedside, not for Santa, but so as
not to forget things. My position, as well
as the other positions on the Executive
Committee and Board of Directors, are
voluntary. It is our passion, not our job.
We serve to tell the Nez Perce story.
We share friendships with those who
were once called “the enemy” in the 1877.
They were here first, living in their homelands, with so much wisdom about the
natural world. They miraculously survived.
And now we strive to right the wrongs and
heal old wounds. We celebrate when their
youth discovers their history, and grieve
when they discover the pain and hardship
of the tragic journey in 1877 to seek peace
KL HEAGEN PHOTO
and freedom. Wa’aqo’kalo’ &©2014
qe’ciye’w'yew.
Karen Heagen
52
RECOMMENDED READING
“I Will Tell of My War Story”
✓
-- A Pictorial Account of the Nez Perce War
By Scott M. Thompson
©2000 University of Washington Press
P.O. Box 50096 • Seattle, Washington 98145
ISBN-13:
ISBN-10: 0295979437
After the surrender at Bear Paw, Montana, a number of Nez Perce escaped transportation to Indian
Territory with Joseph and continued their flight to Canada with perhaps a hundred eventually
joining Sitting Bull's Lakota. "I Will Tell of My War Story" reproduces, describes, and discusses a
remarkable series of drawings by an anonymous Indian artist who fought with Chief Joseph and
later reached Canada. The drawings, in red, blue, and black pencil, include portraits of principal
participants in the war, battle scenes, and views of Nez Perce camp life and celebrations during
the war and after. The drawings are preserved in a small pocket ledger labeled 'Cash Book' on the
front, which was acquired by Indian Agent Charles D. Warner in the 1880s. It was willed by him to
a family living in northern Idaho, and is now in the collection of the Idaho State Historical Society.
Scott Thompson worked closely both with the owners and with members of the Nez Perce
community in preparing his manuscript. The Cash Book drawings are one of very few firsthand
pictorial records of the Nez Perce War taken from the Indian viewpoint and contain invaluable
historical and ethnographic information.
*Scott M. Thompson is an art teacher at Chase Middle School in Spokane, Washington.
DID YOU KNOW?
NEZ PERCE WORDS
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Did you know that the Nez Perce ancestors
said that the Appaloosa war horse appeared
to sweat blood from it’s skin? This became
the explanation for the spots on it’s body.
Na’qc
Lepi’t
Mita’t
Pi’lep
Pa’xat
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
‘Oyla’qu
‘Uyne’p
‘Oymata
K’u’yc
Pu’tim
MISSION STATEMENT of the NEZ PERCE TRAIL FOUNDATION
The Nez Perce Trail Foundation exists to promote public awareness and appreciation of the historic route of the tragic 1877 flight of the Nez Perce
from the U.S. Army. Much of this route is recognized by our nation as the Nez Perce National Historic Trail, extending from Wallowa Lake in Oregon
to the Bears Paw Battlefield in northern Montana. The Foundation shall work, either individually or jointly, with governmental agencies and others
to preserve and protect cultural resources and values while promoting respectful use by all. Our mission also advocates extension of the trail to
include these additional routes: the Redheart band's forced march to Ft. Vancouver, Washington and their incarceration; the journey to exile at
Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, and in the Oklahoma Territory; the escape route into Canada used by the survivors; and the return from exile to the
Lapwai, Colville, Umatilla, Yakima, and Palouse area Indian Reservations of the northwest.
CONTACT US
FIND US HERE
www.nezpercetrail.net
On FACEBOOK
“Like” us at www.facebook.com/nezpercetf
On INSTAGRAM
@NezPerceTrailFoundation
Nez Perce Trail Foundation
P.O. Box 5024
Bend • Oregon 97708
www.nezpercetrail.net
Jim Zimmerman, President
and with our Invaluable Partners and Affiliates
[email protected]
Dick Seymour, Vice President
[email protected]
Karen Heagen, Secretary
www.nps.gov
[email protected]
www.blm.gov
www.fs.fed.us
www.fs.usda.gov/npnht
Tricia Taylor, Treasurer
[email protected]
Matt Nowak, Membership
[email protected]
Volunteers Dedicated to the Nez Perce Trail
www.fws.gov
www.wallowanezperce.org www.pnts.org
Please forward this newsletter to your friends
©2015 Winter ‘Iskitpe Nez Perce Trail Foundation Newsletter • May not be reproduced in any form without express written permission from the NPTF • The NPTF is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization • All rights reserved
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