Side Trip: Minam, Oregon
Traditionally, Minam Hill marked the westernmost boundary of the Wallowa Band’s territory, as well as that of the entire Nez Perce people. As the highway crosses the river, the Minam River flows into the Wallowa River on the south side of the bridge. This excellent hay country supported the Nez Perce herds of thousands of horses and cattle.
“Inside this boundary, all our people were born. It circles around the graves of our fathers, and will never give up these graves to any man.”
– Hinmatóowyalahtq’it (Chief Joseph)
Máamin
The máamin (Appaloosa horse) known for its colorful, spotted coat patterns, is a Nez Perce legacy. Horses reached the Nez Perce in about 1730, coming to America by way of Spain, then Mexico. Horses thrived in the rich grasslands of the Wallowa Valley where the Nez Perce practiced selective breeding.
The various Nez Perce bands could be easily recognized at a distance from the color of their ponies, as each favored a particular color of horse. The Nez Perce continue to be among the most prominent breeders of the Appaloosa.
“They are so consistently on horseback that they seem to be almost part of the animal. You can tell them at great distances by the ease and grace of their arms as, in Indian style, they carry the whip up and down.”
– General Oliver O. Howard
As you travel this country, reflect upon the how the land has changed and how it has stayed the same.
Credits and Sources:
NPNHT Auto Tour Route 1 Brochure
