Nez Perce Returning To Wallowa Valley Tribe Will Convert Cattle Ranch Into Habitat For Elk, Salmon

The Nez Perce Tribe is returning to northeastern Oregon’s Wallowa Valley, where it will convert a former cattle ranch into habitat for the elk, salmon, native grasses, roots and berries that once sustained native culture.

“It is again a homecoming - a return to an area we’ve always been,” said Jaime A. Pinkham, treasurer of the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee.

In 1877, Chief Joseph began to lead a Nez Perce band, many of them old people, women and children, out of the Wallowa Valley after years of ignoring U.S. government orders to leave for Lapwai, Idaho.

But along the way, three angry, young Indians left camp and killed four white settlers. Thus began the Nez Perce War and Joseph’s remarkable attempt to lead his people to Canada.

Pursued by federal cavalry, Joseph led his people some 1,500 miles over three months, winning several battles before the Indians were captured, cold, hungry and tired, just 40 miles from the Canadian border.

The Nez Perce surrender was marked by Joseph’s eloquent speech, which ended: “Hear me, my chiefs, I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.” The chief’s father, Old Joseph, is buried at the foot of Wallowa Lake near the town of Joseph.

The $2.5 million purchase of the 10,300-acre ranch was made possible by the Trust for Public Lands, which took an option on the property when it came on the market two years ago.

The national organization buys land to sell to governments and public agencies in order to preserve natural resources such as fish and wildlife, and to protect areas with scenic and historical importance.

The steep property borders the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area and the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.

The Bonneville Power Administration provided funds for the purchase as part of its compensation to the tribe for wildlife habitat lost when the four lower Snake River hydropower dams were built. The tribe has treaty rights for hunting, fishing and gathering along the Snake.

The BPA also is providing $2 million to purchase another 6,200 acres, as well as funds to develop an inventory and management plan for the $4.5 million project, said Keith Lawrence, director of the Nez Perce Tribe’s wildlife program.

Bowen Blair Jr., Oregon director for the Trust for Public Lands, said the project is particularly important since the preserve is near other large tracts of land recently transferred to public ownership.

“I feel wonderful,” Blair said. “It’s such an important project from the standpoint of cultural significance and wildlife values. … It’s an enormously satisfying feeling to play a part in the Nez Perce return to Oregon.”

The tribe, which has a reservation in Idaho, has maintained a presence in the Wallowa Valley through powwows and cultural events.