![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pnts.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/NimiipuuFamily-copy-1-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\nNez Perce family passes down songs from generation to generation to honor the land from which they come. Photo by Jennifer Repoza.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The NPNHT has awarded a Challenge Cost Share Agreement to the Bitter Root Cultural Heritage Trust (BRCHT) to lead preparation of a Strategic Partnership Strategy for the NPNHT. Work will begin with an assessment of the opportunities along the entire length of the trail and BRCHT will propose a framework for the Forest Service to work with partners in a way that shares tasks, builds capacity, develops revenue, and myriad other tasks to assist with the operations and development of the NPNHT. If circumstances\u00a0 permit travel, the effort will kick off with a trip along the trail during the Spring and Summer of 2022 to meet existing partners and identify potential new ones.<\/p>\n
Local Economy, Tourism and Community Health<\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pnts.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/NimiipuuElder-copy-300x226.jpg\")
<\/p>\nNez Perce (Nimiipuu) elder raises fox fur while sharing legends embedded into places within his homeland. Photo by Brad Stinson.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
NPNHT was awarded a $130,000 NATIVE Act Grant. Funding will be used to update and\/or install interpretive signs along the Auto Tour Route.<\/p>\n
Signs will focus on using the Nez Perce language and traditional place names. Interpretive messages on signage will begin with interviews and photography of elders and Tribal artists will prepare artwork. Youth will assist with sign installation and traditional presenters will support installation of the signs with appropriate ceremonies.<\/p>\n
\u201cUpdating interpretive signs with Nez Perce language is an important step in asserting the Tribe\u2019s presence and history in this area,\u201d said Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee Chairman Samuel Penney. \u201cThese places were often named based on their features or attributes, and the names do not come from historical figures, but rather our people were often named after these places.\u201d<\/p>\n
USDA Forest Service Administrator of the Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail Sandra Broncheau-McFarland has been working with strategic partners for years and recognizes that what is being learned from this project can be applied to other segments of the trail. \u201cWe are so pleased to be working with two tribes on this project, the Nez Perce Tribe, whose homeland is the Forest Service\u2019s Northern Region, and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes who traditionally used the area,\u201d she said. \u201cThe two Tribes have important history in this region, and this project seeks to support each Tribe\u2019s need to further document their experiences on this landscape as well as share their heritage and stories with current inhabitants and visitors.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nez Perce Tourism, LLC of Lewiston, ID is partnering with the Forest Service to plan and implement grant activities under a Participating Agreement. Stacia Morfin is the owner of Nez Perce Tourism and an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe. Morfin’s business shares Nez Perce heritage through interpretive events and excursions created to connect visitors to Nimiipuu culture.<\/p>\n
Morfin will be working closely on the project with the Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribe, both Tribe\u2019s Circle of Elders, the NPNHT, and local forests and additional partners to ensure sacred and undisclosed areas remain protected, while those appropriate for sharing can be interpreted with signage and programs that visitors can experience.<\/p>\n
Education, Interpretation and Cultural Expression<\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pnts.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/2020-All-5-Bitterroot-Missions-Social-Post-Square-copy-300x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAll 5 Bitterroot Missions Social Post Square. Photo courtesy USDA Forest Servie and Bitter Root Cultural Heritage Trust.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Local partner, Bitter Root Cultural Heritage Trust, has been working with the Forest Service NPNHT for over a decade to support interpretation and other good works along the trail. Kristine Komar, president of BRCHT, believes that \u201cboth locals and visitors to the area appreciate learning more about the trail and events of 1877. The Flight and War of 1877 have great currency to our current culture and it\u2019s important that we do all we are able to encourage dialogue and reflection.\u201d<\/p>\n
To those efforts, the BRCHT was awarded a Challenge Cost Share agreement to install NPNHT overview signs throughout the Bitterroot Valley. Partners along the trail jumped in eagerly to participate and include the City of Hamilton Parks, Fort Owen State Park, Ravalli County Museum, Victor Park, and Darby\u2019s Sacajawea Rest Park, among others. The signs help each community share the story in context of their local setting and visitors are able to experience the trail from a variety of viewpoints along the Auto Tour Route. The Bitterroot Valley is fortunate to have three nation trails running through the valley on the exact same alignment-the Nez Perce NHT, of course, as well as the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, and the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, so there is no lack of stories to share.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nNez Perce (Nimiipuu) elder raises fox fur while sharing legends embedded into places within his homeland. Photo by Brad Stinson.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
NPNHT was awarded a $130,000 NATIVE Act Grant. Funding will be used to update and\/or install interpretive signs along the Auto Tour Route.<\/p>\n
Signs will focus on using the Nez Perce language and traditional place names. Interpretive messages on signage will begin with interviews and photography of elders and Tribal artists will prepare artwork. Youth will assist with sign installation and traditional presenters will support installation of the signs with appropriate ceremonies.<\/p>\n
\u201cUpdating interpretive signs with Nez Perce language is an important step in asserting the Tribe\u2019s presence and history in this area,\u201d said Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee Chairman Samuel Penney. \u201cThese places were often named based on their features or attributes, and the names do not come from historical figures, but rather our people were often named after these places.\u201d<\/p>\n
USDA Forest Service Administrator of the Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail Sandra Broncheau-McFarland has been working with strategic partners for years and recognizes that what is being learned from this project can be applied to other segments of the trail. \u201cWe are so pleased to be working with two tribes on this project, the Nez Perce Tribe, whose homeland is the Forest Service\u2019s Northern Region, and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes who traditionally used the area,\u201d she said. \u201cThe two Tribes have important history in this region, and this project seeks to support each Tribe\u2019s need to further document their experiences on this landscape as well as share their heritage and stories with current inhabitants and visitors.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nez Perce Tourism, LLC of Lewiston, ID is partnering with the Forest Service to plan and implement grant activities under a Participating Agreement. Stacia Morfin is the owner of Nez Perce Tourism and an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe. Morfin’s business shares Nez Perce heritage through interpretive events and excursions created to connect visitors to Nimiipuu culture.<\/p>\n
Morfin will be working closely on the project with the Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribe, both Tribe\u2019s Circle of Elders, the NPNHT, and local forests and additional partners to ensure sacred and undisclosed areas remain protected, while those appropriate for sharing can be interpreted with signage and programs that visitors can experience.<\/p>\n
Education, Interpretation and Cultural Expression<\/h2>\n<\/p>\nAll 5 Bitterroot Missions Social Post Square. Photo courtesy USDA Forest Servie and Bitter Root Cultural Heritage Trust.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Local partner, Bitter Root Cultural Heritage Trust, has been working with the Forest Service NPNHT for over a decade to support interpretation and other good works along the trail. Kristine Komar, president of BRCHT, believes that \u201cboth locals and visitors to the area appreciate learning more about the trail and events of 1877. The Flight and War of 1877 have great currency to our current culture and it\u2019s important that we do all we are able to encourage dialogue and reflection.\u201d<\/p>\n
To those efforts, the BRCHT was awarded a Challenge Cost Share agreement to install NPNHT overview signs throughout the Bitterroot Valley. Partners along the trail jumped in eagerly to participate and include the City of Hamilton Parks, Fort Owen State Park, Ravalli County Museum, Victor Park, and Darby\u2019s Sacajawea Rest Park, among others. The signs help each community share the story in context of their local setting and visitors are able to experience the trail from a variety of viewpoints along the Auto Tour Route. The Bitterroot Valley is fortunate to have three nation trails running through the valley on the exact same alignment-the Nez Perce NHT, of course, as well as the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, and the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, so there is no lack of stories to share.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nAll 5 Bitterroot Missions Social Post Square. Photo courtesy USDA Forest Servie and Bitter Root Cultural Heritage Trust.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Local partner, Bitter Root Cultural Heritage Trust, has been working with the Forest Service NPNHT for over a decade to support interpretation and other good works along the trail. Kristine Komar, president of BRCHT, believes that \u201cboth locals and visitors to the area appreciate learning more about the trail and events of 1877. The Flight and War of 1877 have great currency to our current culture and it\u2019s important that we do all we are able to encourage dialogue and reflection.\u201d<\/p>\n
To those efforts, the BRCHT was awarded a Challenge Cost Share agreement to install NPNHT overview signs throughout the Bitterroot Valley. Partners along the trail jumped in eagerly to participate and include the City of Hamilton Parks, Fort Owen State Park, Ravalli County Museum, Victor Park, and Darby\u2019s Sacajawea Rest Park, among others. The signs help each community share the story in context of their local setting and visitors are able to experience the trail from a variety of viewpoints along the Auto Tour Route. The Bitterroot Valley is fortunate to have three nation trails running through the valley on the exact same alignment-the Nez Perce NHT, of course, as well as the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, and the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, so there is no lack of stories to share.<\/p>\n