Joseph Canyon Viewpoint
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 45° 50.124 W 117° 15.821
11T E 479522 N 5075793
Viewpoint along Oregon Hwy 3 overlooking Joseph Canyon, a former winter home to the Nez Perce.
Waymark Code: WM2CRG
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 10/13/2007
Views: 34
Joseph Canyon
The canyon below you was the winter home of the Chief Joseph Band of Nez
Perce. People occupied this area for thousands of years, following
well-established routes between summer and winter camps. When homesteaders
arrived, the Nez Perce did not understand why the newcomers did not moved to
lower elevations to escape the harsh winters. The settlers assumed the Nez
Perce were nomads who did not call any one place home. During winter the
Nez Perce lived in communal long houses. Winter was a time to remember the past
and to restore spiritual balance to the individual and the community. ~ text
of marker