17th Annual Red Heart Memorial Ceremony

Wilfred Scott addresses the crowd

Veterans and NPS representative salute the color guard

Karen Heagen, NPTF Secretary, attending

Crowd of 300 attends annual Memorial at Ft.Vancouver

On April 19, 2014, the 17th annual Red Heart Memorial Ceremony was held at Ft. Vancouver, Washington. The event honored those members of Chief Red Heart’s band who were arrested upon their return from the buffalo country in 1877. The members were marched on foot from Weippe Prairie to Lewiston, then traveled by steamer downriver to the fort where they were held prisoner for nine months by the U.S. Army under Department Commander O.O. Howard. During this time, a two year old boy died from the poor conditions. On the Memorial grounds, a child’s chair and toys honored his memory while the riderless horses circled the crowd three times.

The annual Memorial is a reminder for those who had relatives in Red Heart’s band, as well as recognizing veterans of all the wars. It serves to preserve the history of the Nez Perce Tribe as well as bridge the differences between the white and Indian cultures. On the previous Friday night, a memorial dinner was hosted by the Wood family for Tribal members, close friends, and family members. C.E.S. Wood served under General Howard during the War of 1877, but after completing his duty became sympathetic to the plight of the Nez Perce. The dinner is a reconciliation of the past and promotes the forging of new relationships between the groups.

The NPTF was represented by Karen Heagen, Secretary NPTF, at both events.