And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: Sent by: Martha ..thanks..:) From:"List, Nez Perce Treaties" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> With Perfect Justice... Nez Perce Treaties - http://members.stratos.net/cpetras Lewiston Morning Tribune (Lewiston, Idaho) Saturday, May 29, 1998. Pp. 1A, 4A. Tribal elders travel from afar Hundreds come to Lapwai for gathering of Northwest Indians By JENNIFER KARINEN OF THE TRIBUNE LAPWAI -- In moccasins and thick-soled orthopedic shoes, more than 300 senior citizens arrived in Lapwai Friday morning to celebrate Elders Day. "Our people love to travel, love to reminisce, love to visit the different tribes," said Loretta Halfmoon, senior services coordinator, looking over the group gathered in the Pi Nee Waus community center. The Nez Perces used to travel to the Columbia River to get salmon, and along the way they would stop and visit other tribes, she explained. "This is what that's about. The camaraderie of all those people together." It was the third year and biggest turnout for the Nez Perces' day that celebrates and honors elder tribal members. Tribes now have the resources to enable groups to visit each other. The older members of tribes from around Northwest come in roomy buses equipped with wheelchair lifts. Several were emblazoned with the title "Tribal Elders." Visitors included the Yakama, Colville, Siletz, Coeur d'Alene and Warm Springs tribes. Carol Reid of the Nooksack Tribe rode with 18 others more than 400 miles from northern Washington to be at the gathering. "Indians will go that many miles just to meet with their friends," the former political activist said with a smile. Giant pink butterfly balloons hovered over the room, representing not only the distance visitors traveled, but the place they had come to meet. "Lapwai is the anglicized version for the Nez Perce word for butterfly," explained Arthur M. Taylor Jr., a senior citizen liaison on the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee. The Lapwai valley is known by the tribe as the place of butterflies. The actual Nez Perce word for butterfly sounds like the flapping of its wings. Faye Werner, born and raised in Lapwai, watched her granddaughter serving coffee and water to the elder men and women of the tribes. "It's a good thing to see that she's doing it," she said. "In our tradition you're always taught to honor your elders. "My parents invited people to stay at their house. You would serve the elders and make sure they're comfortable. You do everything for them. "A lot of young people are picking up the cultural part of this and that's good." Delores Wheeler and Allen P. Slickpoo Sr. were awarded red and black jackets with the words "Nez Perce Elder of the Year" embroidered on the chest. The Nez Perces voted for the award recipients, who must be over 65, at the General Council meeting in May. Wheeler was honored for carrying on her heritage. The great-great-granddaughter of Nez Perce Chief Looking Glass helped start the annual Looking Glass Pow Wow in the late 1970s. The first pow wow honored the 100th anniversary of the 1877 Nez Perce Indian War. It all started with $35 she and her sisters won for a float in the Kamiah Barbecue parade. The pow wow now draws at least 25 tribes from around the United States and Canada. Slickpoo is a published author of Nez Perce history and culture. He has played a key part in keeping the Nez Perce language alive by creating learning programs. He has lectured across the country as well as in Japan and Mexico and he has served numerous boards. He worked on the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee for 27 years. The theme of Elders Day, "Honor the Past, Imagine the Future," was declared by President Clinton as a national theme for the elderly. Later in the day the tribe brought it to life by taking people on tours of the Young Horseman program and the Wolf Center near Winchester. The event was organized by Nez Perce Senior Citizens. Nez Perce seniors will travel to other tribes' elders celebrations throughout the year. PHOTO: Bernice Moffatt, left, escorts Allen P. Slickpoo Sr. and Delores Wheeler as they are honored as the Nez Perce Elders of the Year by Arthur Taylor Jr., right. Slickpoo and Wheeler were recognized at a gathering of Indian elders at the Pi Nee Waus community center in Lapwai Friday. PHOTO: Hundreds of elders from tribes across the Northwest gaher for a day of recognition, visiting and tours in Nez Perce country. -30- ______________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Start Your Own FREE Email List at http://www.listbot.com/ Reprinted under the fair use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html doctrine of international copyright law. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
