Commemoration of Whitebird War Memorial and Juneteenth

Nimiipuu Fund office will be closed on Thursday and Friday this week to recognize the Nez Perce Tribe Whitebird War Memorial on June 17th and Juneteenth recognized on June 19th.  

The Tribal Women eCommerce Luncheon will be postponed until further notice and coordination of a future date will be organized by Idaho Women’s Business Center and Nez Perce Tribe Economic Development. Our Women Who Wine Sip ‘n Paint fundraiser will proceed on Thursday at the Clearwater River Casino.  Tickets can be purchased online or by contacting our office. 

Our CDFI continues to work to provide finance justice by providing access to capital for individuals, small businesses, and communities who are disproportionately left behind by mainstream finance. Nimiipuu Fund #FinanceJustice by supporting our communities and recognizing our history.  

Nez Perce Tribe – Whitebird War Memorial

The Whitebird Battle is the battle of the Nez Perce Flight of 1877.  In the spring of 1877, General O.O. Howard gave the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) who were living outside the boundaries of the 1863 treaty reservation 30 days to relocate. While enjoying their last stretch of freedom at Tolo Lake, a few young warriors led by Wahlitits attacked some homesteads on the Salmon River. Realizing the army would respond to the bloodshed, the Nimiipuu bands moved to Lahmotta, one of the homes of the White Bird Band. At daybreak, the army of 106 mounted soldiers and 11 volunteers rode into the canyon leading to the Indian encampment. Scouts watched the army approach and a peace party of six Nimiipuu men carrying a white flag rode to meet them, hoping to avoid a battle. One of the volunteers opened fire and the Nimiipuu responded. What might have been a peaceful settlement turned into the first battle of the Nez Perce War. A war that would include many battles as the Nimiipuu traveled into Montana, through Yellowstone in Wyoming, and then nearly to the Canadian border trying to avoid the army and reach what they hoped would be safety in Canada.

This first battle was a rout as 34 soldiers died and only two or three Nimiipuu were injured and none were killed. But it signaled the beginning of a war that was to last until October 5 when Chief Joseph formally surrendered.
More on Nez Perce visit www.nezperce.org or directions to White Bird Battlefield is 3823 Two Moon Trail, Whitebird, Idaho 83554.

Juneteenth

Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) commemorates the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people were freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday.

Confederate General Robert E. Lee had surrendered at Appomattox Court House two months earlier in Virginia, but slavery had remained relatively unaffected in Texas—until U.S. General Gordon Granger stood on Texas soil and read General Orders No. 3: “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.”

The 2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration event will take place at Lapwai City Park from 11:00am to 6:00 pm, 315 S Main Street, Lapwai, Idaho 83540.  For more information contact Mikailah Thompson or learn more at mikailahthompson.com/events.