Nimiipuu'neewit - Nez Perce Lifeways: A Community-Based Approach to the Protection and Healing of Our Homelands

Abstract:

Nimiipuu'neewit: Lifeways of Our (Nez Perce) Homelands is a collaboration between community members, the Nez Perce Tribe, and local academic institutions and agencies to offer both participants and partners a unique experience to learn about Nimiipuu culture, our homelands from different perspectives, and generate relationships to our homelands that will permeate to the future generations. The programs offer lectures, demonstrations, service learning, and recreational field trips to learn about our relatives (plants and animals) and homelands (spanning into Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana). The foundation of the program is to promote the healing and protection of our sacred environment by providing presentations from our partners on their current (conservation and restoration) efforts, service learning opportunities for participants to engage and contribute to ongoing efforts and cultural activities, and participate in Nimiipuu cultural activities. The program will take place on our homelands, with resident elders, and with the curriculum that includes traditional stories of places and traditional place names (language). Nimiipuu'neewit strengthens participants cultural identity, connection to place, and stewardship of the land; improves community health by promoting subsistence consumption and outdoor physical activity; and introduces education and career pathways in environmental fields for the protection and healing of our homelands.