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Battlefield Commemoration This Weekend

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TasunkaWitko View Drop Down
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aka The Gipper

Joined: 10 June 2003
Location: Chinook Montana
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    Posted: 08 October 2006 at 05:25

Battlefield Commemoration This Weekend

 

By Ronald Fischer

bcj_fischer@yahoo.com

 

Each year near October 5th, many Nez Perce tribal members travel to Bear Paw Battlefield to honor all those who fought and died during the conflict of 1877. This year's commemoration will take place on Saturday, October 7th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

 

Events include a riderless horse ceremony, pipe ceremony, and traditional drum circle. This event is free and open to the public. Photography is not allowed during the pipe ceremony. Weather conditions vary and layered clothing is encouraged.

 

Facilities at the battlefield are limited and include picnic shelters and vault toilets. A 1.25 mile self-guided interpretive trail takes visitors through the battlefield and describes the events of 1877.

 

Currently at the battlefield, a crew from the Montana Conservation Corps is taking three weeks to do some much-needed reconstruction and maintenance work at the site. Last week, the crew rebuilt the two bridges, which cross Snake Creek en route to the campsite and the surrender site. This week they will be replacing the roof on the picnic shelter; next week, they will be repainting the rest areas.

 

So far, the entire group has expressed (and experienced) positive reaction to their stay in the area. “Chinook is a really nice town,” says Nate Emer, “Working here at the foot of the Bear Paws gives us the best commute and the nicest office we could ask for.” Other members have been impressed with the amount of community interest in the project. “People keep coming out to see how we are doing and letting us know that our work is really appreciated,” said another member of the crew. “It’s great to know that we’re making a positive difference.”

 

The crew is looking forward to the commemoration this weekend, and will be attending the ceremonies. The National Park Service invites all residents, history buffs and anyone else who might be interested to see this significant event.

 

Located 16 miles south of Chinook, Bear Paw Battlefield commemorates the final conflict of the Nez Perce War of 1877. Following the breakout of war in Idaho, nearly 800 Nez Perce spent a long and arduous summer fleeing U.S. Army troops first toward Crow allies and then toward refuge in Canada. Forty miles short of the Canadian border and following a five-day battle and siege, the Nez Perce ceased fighting on October 5th, 1877, in which Chief Joseph gave his immortal speech: "From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever."

 

 

A work Crew from the Montana Conservation Corps rebuilds a bridge across Snake Creek at the Bear Paw Battlefield. The crew, which will be here three weeks, is also looking forward to the Bear Paw Battlefield Commemoration this weekend.

TasunkaWitko - Chinook, Montana

Helfen, Wehren, Heilen
Die Wahrheit wird euch frei machen
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