Lewis and Clark event planned for ‘06 by tribal office

LAPWAI, Idaho – North Idaho organizers are polishing plans for a four-day celebration of the Lewis and Clark expedition, part of a national tour winding around the country with 15 stops along the route the explorers took 200 years ago.

The signature event, “Summer of Peace: Among the Nimiipuu,” will be planned by the new office of Nez Perce Tribal Tourism, which has just three employees. Until the tibal office got involved, the smallest group handling any of the 15 signature events had 12 employees, said Tribal Tourism Director Bill Smith.

The event, slated for June 2006, will mark the Corps of Discovery’s journey through Nez Perce land on the journey west. The Nez Perce saved Meriwether Lewis and William Clark from starvation and the discoverers made an extended stop with the tribe on their return trip.

“We want to tell the true tribal story,” said Farren Penney of the tribal tourism agency.