Prior to visiting the park, lead the class in the following activities:
View the movie “Of One Heart” (many schools/school districts have purchased this & it is available for sale at the park visitor center for $14.95).
Before watching the film, pose the question "what do you think “culture” means" before and after the movie. Other questions to consider:
- How did the Nez Perce people get their name?
- Does their name represent their people and how?
- How did the Nez Perce feel about the earth? Give examples.
- Where did the Nez Perce believe they received their power?
- What caused the U.S. Government to move the Nez Perce people off of their land?
- How did the Nez Perces’ lives change as a result of the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery expedition? Give examples.
- Describe one part of the Nez Perce culture.
- What might the movie mean when it says Nez Perce History in the past as well as the future?
- What are some differences and similarities between how the Nez Perce people live today verses 100 years ago?
- How do the Nez Perce people preserve their culture?
- Why did some Nez Perce bands leave for Canada in 1877 and some stay on the reservation?
- What impact did this have on the Nez Perce as a whole?
- Have students develop one of their own questions to ask the class.
