WEIPPE PRAIRIE Weippe Prairie is a swath of camas prairie trending northwest to southeast. The town of Weippe is situated within this swath along Idaho Highway 11. The site is a traditional gathering place where the Nez Perce harvested camas root, socialized, and worshiped for thousands of years. Lewis and Clark made their first contact with the Nez Perce at this site in 1805. This national historic landmark is also associated with the 1877 Nez Perce War; the nontreaty bands held a council on this prairie following the Clearwater Battle. The roadside sign just west of Weippe introduces you to the area. Follow the map to the actual meeting place where signs tell the story of Clark's encounter with the Nez Perce. Although the exact meeting site is on private property, it is easily visible from the signs. Journeying toward the Clearwater, six men under Clark met the Nez Perce Indians not far from here, September 20, 1805. Clark first saw three frightened Nez Perce boys, who hid in the grass. Finding two, he reassured them with small presents and "sent them forward to the village." The Nez Perce people, though naturally somewhat nervous in greeting the first whites to reach their land, fed Clark's men. The next day, Clark "collected a horse load of roots & 3 Sammon" to send back to the main expedition. ...proceed on through a butifull Countrey for three miles to a Small Plain in which I found maney Indian lodges, at the distance of 1 mile from the lodges I met 3 (Indian) boys, when they Saw me ran and hid themselves...searched (in the grass and) found (2 of the boys) gave them Small pieces of ribin & Sent them forward to the village. (Soon after) a man Came out to meet me with great Caution & Conducted (me) us to a large Spacious Lodge which he told me (by Signs) was the Lodge of his great Chief...great numbers of women geathered around me with much apparent Signs of Fear, and apr. pleased they (those people) gave us a Small piece of Buffalow meat, Some dried Salmon berries & roots in different States, Some round and much like an onion which they call (Pas she co) quamash the Bread or Cake is called Pas-she-co Sweet, of this they make bread & Supe they also gave us the bread made of this root all of which we eate hartily... Capt. William Clark, September 20, 1805

	State: Idaho Unit: Upper Clearwater / White Bird