“Opening the door to the trail home.
It is time once again to let the land hear the familiar sounds that have been developed over thousands of years here in the land of winding waters — the rhythm of the drum beat, the songs, the language, the prayers, the people, and all creation joined to co-exist and respect mother earth and this law of the land. Our elders, whose bones remain in this beautiful land, would be proud that everyone here has a genuine concern to maintain the Nee-Me-Poo (We The People, Nez Perce) culture. It has fallen upon the shoulders of this generation to capture the history and, through cultural understanding, respect this land that we live in. We all came together at this historical location to extend our concerns for a better world by maintaining for future generations the knowledge that made this land a wonderful place to live. Whatever we accomplish in these developmental years will be appreciated by many peoples across the nation and around the world. Thank you for your attendance, support, and kindness.”
In 1989, Taz Conner, a descendant of Old Chief Joseph, was invited by the City of Wallowa to help plan some kind of Native American festival at Wallowa. This original invitation eventually led to a yearly powwow and friendship feast, which grew year to year to become the Tamkaliks Celebration and Friendship Feast, held every year the third weekend in July.
The Wallowa Band Nez Perce Trail Interpretive Center, Inc. (WBNPTIC) was chartered in 1995, and purchased a 160 acre site adjacent to the City of Wallowa in September 1997. In Spring 2000, the adjoining 160 acre parcel was purchased, for a total of 320 acres which is now also called the Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland. Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland enjoys strong local and regional support. Contributors include private citizens, representatives from business and economic development, local government, the visitor industry, historians, educators, representatives from the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the National Park Service, and the USDA Forest Service.
