By Elane Dickenson
of the Chieftain

An interpretive exhibit outlining the story of the Nez Perce people in Wallowa County from prehistoric times through the present will be officially unveiled during a "Grand Reopening" open house at the Wallowa Band Nez Perce Homeland Project interpretive center in Wallowa from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 4.

The open house, which will include refreshments, will begin immediately following Wallowa's Fourth of July parade. The center is located next door to Wallowa City Hall and across the street from the site of the barbecue.

Hard at work on the interpretive display this week is professional interpretive designer Susan Sprague, a resident of rural Enterprise, who says, "I want to follow the story of the Nez Perce from their ancient beginnings through time to the present, with a look at tomorrow."

The interpretive display was approved at a meeting of the nonprofit Wallowa Band Nez Perce Trail Interpretive Center, Inc., board of directors
earlier this year. It is being funded by a U.S.D.A. grant received by organization for interpretation of the Nez Perce story..

Sprague has been planning the project with the guidance of an interpretive committee, which includes Bobbie Conner, director of the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute on the Umatilla reservation. Nez Perce words, music and art will all be incorporated into the Wallowa exhibit, and a children's corner with a small tepee is also planned.

Sprague's most recent project prior to the current one was developing a children's nature center in the mountains of Costa Rica on a shoe string budget, an effort she compares to the Nez Perce interpretive display. The exhibit will follow the perimeter around the meeting room, and will probably still be a work in progress during the open house.

The exhibit will invite visitors to "come and experience the continuing evolution of interpretation that is focusing on thousands of years, when life was timeless for the indigenous peoples of Wallowa Country. Walk through the simple introduction of the way of life the people of the people of the Wallowa Country prospered with for thousands of years. Step through time and emerge with an understanding of how life during the seasons changes throughout the years was lived and how an integral knowledge of all that was essential."

Sprague said that while the story of the Nez Perce War of 1877 and the ejection from Wallowa County is part of the exhibit, the emphasis is on "the thousands of years when the Nez Perce people were happy here."

Interpretation of the Homeland Project which has given Nez Perce descendants a contemporary role in Wallowa County is also part of the story told.

Other events that are part of the Homeland Project include a historical Nez Perce photo exhibit that will be opening on Main St. in Joseph later this summer. It is being prepared by volunteer and donated funding, time and materials.

Tamkaliks Celebration, an event that recognizes and celebrates the continuing Nez Perce presence in the Wallowa Valley with native dancing and a big friendship feast.

This year the 11th annual Tamkaliks Celebration takes place Friday-Sunday, July 20-22, on the Homeland Project grounds on the outskirts of Wallowa.

Tamkaliks was founded as the Wallowa Band Nez Perce Descendants Friendship Feast and Pow-Wow in 1991, through the efforts of the late Earl "Taz Conner,"whose words capsulize the spirit of the celebration and of the entire Wallowa Homeland Project: "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 rhythms of the drum beat, the songs, the language, the prayers, the people and all creation joined to co-exist to respect mother earth and this law of the land.

The Nez Perce Homeland Project has been supported and funded by many people. Hundreds of hours of volunteer service by an active group of local residents and Nez Perce people from Oregon, Washington and Idaho have been donated to the cause. Funding sources include private donations as well as competitive grants.

Anyone who would like to know more about the project or become actively involved by donating time or funds is asked to call the center at 886-3101.

Copyright 2001 Wallowa County Chieftain