Nimiipuu Ceremony at Nez Perce National Historical Park Visitor Center
e r u t l u c n i rich
HISTORY, ARTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT
ACCORDING TO TRIBAL LEGEND
Nimiipuu, “the people,” were created in north central Idaho at the dawn of time. There is evidence dating back more than 11,000 years of Nez Perce inhabiting the regions surrounding the Clearwater and Snake River valleys. Appointed by President Thomas Jefferson, Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were charged with finding the Northwest Passage to the Pacific Coast. The Lewis-Clark Expedition was one of the most significant exploration events in the history of the United States. The explorers camped overnight on an island near the
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confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers located near what is now the sister cities of Lewiston, Idaho and Clarkston, Washington. The Nez Perce people are credited with saving the lives of the Corps of Discovery explorers who entered their camp near starvation. Without the food and shelter provided by the Nimiipuu villagers, the Lewis and Clark expedition may have had a tragic ending. Year round, one can indulge in many unique and specialized events in our region. Museums provide insight into how this area was originally home to the Nez Perce Tribe long before the miners and explorers came. From the Native American and Asian cultures, to the Lewis and Clark Expedition, history is vividly displayed.
