Partners

Collaborative Efforts in Preserving Nez Perce Heritage

Preserving and protecting the sites that tell the story of the Nez Perce and the historic Flight of 1877 is a collective effort involving partnerships at multiple levels. Tribal governments, federal agencies, and local institutions contribute invaluable guidance and assistance to ensure these culturally significant sites are maintained and honored. Through these partnerships, the legacy and history of the Nez Perce are safeguarded for future generations. Some of our dedicated partners include:

 

Certain bands of Nez Perce are among the 12 tribes that constitute the federally recognized Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, which is located in northeastern Washington near Spokane. The National Park Service seeks tribal consultation on major projects, such as the development of the visitor center exhibits at the Big Hole National Battlefield and the official brochures/maps for Big Hole and Bear Paw.

 

Certain bands of Nez Perce are among the three tribes that constitute the federally recognized Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, which is located in northeastern Oregon near Pendleton. The National Park Service seeks tribal consultation on major projects, such as the development of the visitor center exhibits at the Big Hole National Battlefield and the official brochures/maps for Big Hole and Bear Paw.

 

Certain bands of Nez Perce constitute the federally recognized Nez Perce Tribe, whose reservation is located in north central Idaho near Lewiston. The Nez Perce National Historical Park's headquarters, visitor center, and several other sites are located within the boundaries of this reservation. The National Park Service seeks tribal consultation on major projects, such as the development of the visitor center exhibits at the Big Hole National Battlefield and the official brochures/maps for Big Hole and Bear Paw.

 

Discover Your Northwest is the non-proft organization that operates the bookstore at the Big Hole National Battlefield's visitor center. It is dedicated to providing visitors with books and other materials that promote a better understanding of the battle, Nez Perce people, their culture, and their history. All donations along with a portion of the funds raised in the bookstore are returned to the battlefield to help support projects and programs such as the Summer Speaker Series, Coyote Camp, Volunteers in Parks, the publication of trail guides, and refreshments for the annual commemorations of both the Big Hole and Bear Paw battles.

 

The Friends of Bear Paw, Big Hole and Canyon Creek Battlefields is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting the National Park Service in preserving three of the battlefields associated with the Nez Perce Flight of 1877. Membership fees and donations are used to complete projects at the battlefields, such as graffiti and litter clean up at Canyon Creek Battlefield and the donation of new benches at Big Hole National Battlefield.

 

The Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail, managed by the U.S. National Forest Service, stretches from Wallowa Lake, Oregon to the Bear Paw Battlefield near Chinook, Montana. It passes through every Nez Perce National Historical Park site that is associated with the Flight of 1877. They produce a quarterly newsletter, a variety of maps, auto tours, and other resources related to the flight, and have an extensive online bibliography of 1877 related resources.

 

The Nez Perce Trail Foundation is a non-profit organization that promotes development, public awareness, and appreciation of the Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail, and furthers the interpretation of events of 1877. Membership fees and donations are used to complete various projects along the trail, such as improving the west entrance to the Big Hole National Battlefield by installing a hitching rail, new gate, and interpretive signs.