Help us commemorate the 125 anniversary of the Flight of the Nez Perce

Since 1960 I have been following historic trails and trying encourage others to take up the activity as an enjoyable way to tie together one's interest in history and the natural sciences with the great outdoors.,

Over the years my books on Thomas Blakiston, James Hector and Paul Kane were the result of this passion.

The Nez Perce story covering some 1700 miles is too large for most to have the time to retrace. But we can do it together. Let's call it a work-in-progress. Using the outstanding guide with eywitness accounts Following the Nez Perce Trail by Cheryl Wilfong as our starting point I have constructed a timeline.

(Today's trail followers may want to purchase Wilfong's book — it's excellent.)

I would like to people to

• explore and photograph sites described
• make sketches of descriptions in the journals
• email the above to hrc@ourheritage.net

We will

• Add a selection to our website (with your permission, giving you credit on our acknowlegments page)
• Put together a book of sketches (with permission) for presentation in United States and Canada

  (See presenttions of earlier sketchbooks we have made around the world.)

An Introduction.

I first started to explore the Nez Perce trail in 1972. The story was so moving, as the centennial year of the event approached in 1977, I couldn't resist sending a letter to the editor to let people know that, indeed, we had history in our own backyard.

I often wondered who and how many of the Nez Perce had made it to Canada and if there more to be told.

Almost 25 years later in 1995 a series of newspaper articles by Garry Allison of the Lethbridge Herald added to the story. A local historian provided a summary of events and then explained why he questioned the official story of this famous flight. He went on to argue that army officers exaggerated Joseph's role.

Later the same year the newspaper reported a reunion had finally taken place as descendents of the Nez Perce who reached Canada were discovering their connections to this amazing event.

So again, let me encourage your participation.

Do you like to draw? — Email us us a sketch of a journal entry.

Do you live along or have you travelled part of the route followed by the Nez Perce? — Email us a photo needed to complete our story.

You will receive credit for your work.

Those sketches not used on our website will still find their way into the Flight of the Nez Perce Sketchbook.

The day-to-day story along with accompanying journals entries kept by people "who were there" can be accessed through our timeline

Enjoy