Scheduled Events
Chief Joseph and His People Subject of Presentation at Yellowstone Art
Museum
Thursday, September 13, 2012, at 7
p.m., visitors are encouraged to join the Nez Perce National Historic
Trail and Yellowstone Art Museum for a presentation by Stan Hoggatt
entitled “Chief Joseph and His People.” The presentation will be held at
the Yellowstone Art Museum in Billings, Montana.
Chief Joseph of the Wallowa Band of the Nez Perce has been an inspiration
to many because of his values, integrity and principals. How can one
individual have such a profound impact on so many people the world over by
simply dedicating his life to his people, their freedom and protecting
their lands?
This presentation will examine Joseph’s early life, his diplomatic
initiatives starting in July of 1872, and his leadership during the war
and flight of 1877 and provide great insights into all of these admirable
traits. Perhaps, Joseph’s greatest contribution to his people, however,
occurred several years following the final
battle at Bear Paw.
Joseph was invited by General Miles to visit Washington to meet with
members of Congress and other government officials and make a plea on
behalf of the Nez Perce people. Instead of speaking to Congress Joseph
spoke to individual Congressmen, Senators and Cabinet Members. Then, he
did the unthinkable. He made a speech at the Lincoln Center and spoke
directly to the American People about his people’s plight and suffering.
The presentation will examine Joseph’s speech and then reflect on his
values, integrity, and principals.
Stan Hoggatt is a Niimíipuu (Nez Perce) author, historian, photographer
and honorary professor. Stan began working with the Niimíipuu in July,
1976. Since then he has published a number of essays on Nez Perce history,
and recently published his auto tour book for Yellowstone National Park
“Nez Perce Traverse the Yellowstone Plateau.” He taught Niimíipuu history
as an honorary professor at Rocky Mountain College and led Rocky Mountain
College’s Elder Hostel Program in Yellowstone National Park with field
trips and lectures. In 2010, Hoggatt was awarded an Aubrey Haines
Fellowship to provide Niimíipuu interpretive programs of history and
culture during the 1800s. He has also been a frequent speaker before
historical groups, park rangers, students and others. Until recently,
Hoggatt served on the Board of Directors of the Nez Perce National
Historical Trail Foundation.
In 1986 Congress enacted legislation that established the Nez Perce
National Historic Trail which follows the 1,170 mile route of the 1877 war
and flight of the Nez Perce.
2012 marks the 135th year since the 1877 war and flight. On September 13,
1877, Nez Perce warriors held off the U.S. Cavalry at the
Canyon Creek
Battle. The staff of the Nez Perce National Historic Trail in
conjunction with a number of partners are hosting a website providing
information about this and other events happening during the next several
months to commemorate the events of 1877. We encourage people to learn
more about the culture of the Nez Perce people and the significant
historic events associated with the National Historic Trail.
Big Hole National Battlefield Summer Speaker Series 2012
Saturday, July 21st, 2012 continues the summer speaker series. This
weekend the Battlefield will feature Dr. Robert Brown. Dr. Brown is
the Executive Director of the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula. He
will perform a first person historical account of Major Rawn during
his time at Fort Missoula during the 1800’s. Audience members will be
able to turn their clocks back to 1884 as Major Rawn reminisces about
his career as a frontier soldier. This will include his participation
at Fort Fizzle and at the Big Hole Battle.
Scheduled talks for Dr. Brown will take place at the Big Hole National Battlefield
visitor center Saturday, July 21st at noon and 3 p.m.; and on Sunday,
July 22nd at noon. A campfire program will be given at the U.S. Forest
Service May Creek Campground on Saturday at 7 p.m. The campground is
located 7 miles west of Big Hole National Battlefield on Highway 43.
Saturday, July 28th, 2012 Big Hole National Battlefield will
feature Jack Gladstone. Jack is a Native “Poetsinger” and lecturer
from the Blackfeet Indian Nation of Montana. Regarded as a cultural
bridge builder, he delivers programs on American Indian myth, legend
and history.
In a career spanning three decades, Jack has released fifteen
critically acclaimed CD’s. Jack co-founded “Native America Speaks”,
the longest running Native interpretive series in our National Parks.
You won’t want to miss this gifted multi-cultural performer!
Scheduled programs will take place at the Big Hole National
Battlefield visitor center Saturday (ONLY), July 28th at noon and 3
p.m. A campfire program will be given at the U.S. Forest Service May
Creek Campground on Saturday at 7 p.m. The campground is located 7
miles west of Big Hole National Battlefield on Highway 43.
Jack Gladstone
Sunday, July 29th, 2012 Big Hole National Battlefield will
feature the Nez Perce Appaloosa Horse Club. Nez Perce Appaloosa Horse
Club (NPApHC) was formed in 1991 to serve youth on the Nez Perce
Reservation by introducing them to horses and teaching them how to
ride. The majority of the members of this club are Nez Perce, so they
emphasize the Nez Perce culture and history. However, membership is
open to everyone and all horse breeds (one does not have to be Nez
Perce, Native American, or own a horse) to be a member.
Nez Perce Appaloosa Horse Club
The Nez Perce people are historically known for their selective horse
breeding practices, especially of the Appaloosa horse (“Maamin,” the
Nez Perce word for “Appaloosa.) They strive to follow the lead of
their ancestors and carry on their legacy and traditions by breeding,
training, riding, and trading (selling) Appaloosa stock. Some of the
Appaloosa herd are descendants of the “Old Herd”(horses left behind as
the Nez Perce fled during the 1877 Conflict).
Bring your families and come view this beautiful legacy of the Nez
Perce people. Learn first-hand why this program is so important. One
scheduled presentation will be held in front of the Big Hole National
Battlefield Visitor Center at 10:00 a.m. Sunday (ONLY) July 29th.
Admission is free to all of the speaker programs!
Saturday, August 4-5th, 2012 continues the summer speaker
series. This weekend the Battlefield is honored to present Michael
Johnson and Shawna Gavin. Michael is Senior Services transportation
manager for the Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center. He is of Cayuse,
Walla Walla, Nez Perce, Warm Springs and other tribal heritage. His
sister Shawna is the Executive Assistant to the General Council
Chairman as well as the Health Commission Chair.
They will be demonstrating the “stick game”, a traditional favorite of
the Native people, as well as a weaving demonstration. Michael remains
active in tribal weaving and arts activities as well as forefront in
coordinating and advising for community events. They are both
passionate about passing along the teachings that they have received.
This popular duo will bring you an incredibly fun, interactive,
hands-on program along with tables of beautifully hand-woven items for
you to view.
You won’t want to miss this one! Bring your families. Admission is
free!
Scheduled talks will take place at the Big Hole National Battlefield
visitor center Saturday, August 4th at noon and 3 p.m.; and on Sunday,
August 5th at noon. A campfire program will be given at the U.S.
Forest Service May Creek Campground on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Michael Johnson
Shawna Gavin
Weekend of August 18-19th, 2012 Big Hole National
Battlefield will feature Nancy Fonicello. Nancy has studied Native
American art for over 35 years, first as a student, then as a
professional artist, finally as a teacher of native traditional arts.
She is widely known for her expertise in the traditional techniques of
porcupine quillwork, beadwork, hide tanning and leather work.
Nancy currently works as an objects conservator, specializing in
Native American ethnographic material. In 2001, Nancy worked in the
Conservation Lab at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American
Indian, under a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon foundation, conserving
and preparing objects slated for display in the Museum's new facility
on the Mall in Washington, D.C.
Commissioned by the Utah Museum of Natural History in 1999, she
interpreted the unique construction techniques and materials used in a
1000 year old quilled moccasin in their collection and created
documentary copies for public display and academic study.
Nancy has taught traditional quillwork to Native American tribal
students under grants from the Montana Arts Council, and has conducted
numerous workshops around the United States. Her teaching curriculum
is used by Aurora College in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada,
for their Traditional Arts Certification program.
Nancy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Chemistry
from the State University of New York, College of Environmental
Science and Forestry. When she is not working in a museum or her
studio in Wilsall, Montana, Nancy can be found at the piano,
performing professional level chamber music concerts with the Red
Lodge Chamber Players, riding her horses, or serving the local
community as a volunteer firefighter.
Her presentation will demonstrate some of the many techniques of
porcupine quillwork used by the Nez Perce and other native peoples,
including a discussion of hide tanning and the use of natural dyes.
Scheduled programs will take place at the Big Hole National
Battlefield Visitor Center Saturday August 18th, at noon and 3 p.m.
and again on Sunday August 19th at noon. A campfire program will be
given at the U.S. Forest Service May Creek Campground on Saturday at 7
p.m. The campground is located 7 miles west of Big Hole National
Battlefield on Highway 43.
Nancy Fonicello
Weekend of August 25-26th, Big Hole National Battlefield will
feature Vivian Wilson. Vivian is an enrolled member of the Nez Perce
Tribe. She graduated from Lewis and Clark College with a degree in
history. She is currently an employee of the National Park Service,
but previously worked for the Nez Perce Tribe for twenty years in
their finance department. Vivian is the mother of three and currently
lives at Lapwai, Idaho.
Her presentation will show the construction, purpose and history
behind the cradle board. From the beginning of time, babies have been
put in some type of devise to hold them securely. In Nez Perce
country, the evolution of these devises led to two forms that are
prevalent today. The styles range from plain and functional to
elaborate. Bring your families! Admission is free.
Scheduled programs will take place at the Big Hole National
Battlefield Visitor Center Saturday August 25th, at noon and 3 p.m.
and again on Sunday August 26th at noon. A campfire program will be
given at the U.S. Forest Service May Creek Campground on Saturday at 7
p.m. The campground is located 7 miles west of Big Hole National
Battlefield on Highway 43.
Directions to Big Hole National Battlefield:
o From Wisdom, MT, take State Highway 43 west for 10 miles.
o From Lost Trail Pass on US Highway 93, take State Highway 43 east
for 17 miles.
Big Hole National Battlefield commemorates the tragic events of the
Nez Perce War of 1877, when groups of Nez Perce families were attacked
by 7th U.S. Infantry forces. On August 9 & 10, 1877 between 75 – 90
Nez Perce men, women and children and 31 soldiers/volunteers lost
their lives in one of the bloodiest conflicts in the history of the
American West.
Big Hole National
Battlefield Reopening June
2, 2012 at 1:00 p.m.
On June 2nd 2012 at
1:00p.m., Big Hole National Battlefield held an opening celebration
and an exhibit dedication to highlight its newly renovated visitor center.
After a lengthy renovation the park would like to encourage visitors to
come and see the changes that have taken place. A new entryway welcomes
visitors and inside there are new exhibits, maps, artifacts, a larger
movie screen to view the park movie on, and a bookstore/gift shop
available. There are also three separate trails that allow the visitor
access to the battlefield. There are no admission fees.
Big Hole National Battlefield is the site of a battle between the Nez
Perce Indians and the 7th U.S. Infantry forces with civilian volunteers.
Five bands of Nez Perce in 1877 were fleeing the government’s attempt to
confine them to a smaller reservation in Idaho. On August 9 & 10, 1877
between 75 – 90 Nez Perce men, women and children and 31
soldiers/volunteers lost their lives in one of the bloodiest conflicts in
the history of the American West.
Jump here to see photos of this celebration.
Battlefield Contact Information
The Big Hole National Battlefield is located ten miles
west of Wisdom, Montana on State Highway 43.
Directions to Big Hole National
Battlefield from Wisdom, MT, take State Highway 43 west for 10 miles
and from Lost Trail Pass junction with US Highway 93, on the Montana
and Idaho border, take State Highway 43 east for 16 miles.
Big Hole National Battlefield - (406) 689- 3155
Bear Paw Battlefield - (406) 357- 3130
Or visit the NPS web site a www.nps.gov.
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