YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. — Last weekend, members of the Nez Perce Appaloosa Horse Club and Yellowstone staff rode sections of the Nez Perce Trail in the park to connect Nez Perce youth and adults to the trail, their history and ancestors.
According to an Instagram posted by Yellowstone National Park, In the summer of 1877, a group of about 800 Nez Perce (NiMíiPuu) men, women and children, and nearly 2,000 horses fled their homeland of the Wallowa Mountains in Oregon/Idaho to seek refuge from forced relocation by the U.S. Army. They fled from the Army eastward 1,170 miles over the span of four months, spending 13 days in what was, at the time, a newly established Yellowstone National Park.”
“Ultimately, hundreds of U.S. soldiers and Nez Perce (including women and children) were killed along their flight before the Nez Perce surrendered. Some of the Nez Perce were able to reach Canada, but the rest accepted resettlement in numerous reservations throughout the country,” the park wrote.
Following last weekend’s ride, members coordinated a horse parade in traditional regalia through Canyon Village, danced, did demonstrations and told stories about the history and culture of the NiMíiPuu.
